When we step into the natural landscape that surrounds us, we are free. Free from the distractions of technology, daily household chores and the demands of what’s next. For me, getting outside and into the natural beauty of our Lord’s creation is realigning. I feel an invitation, an invitation from the Lord to see him more fully. What a gift that is to my soul.
The Passion Flower
Wanting to draw nearer to the Lord this Lenten season, I wondered if there was a specific “Lenten flower”. I was thrilled to discover, that yes – there is! It’s called the Passion Flower and it’s rich with religious symbolism. To name just a few…the petal count represents the number of apostles that betray Jesus and the lifespan of the flower’s bloom only lasts three days which is the same time lapse before Christ’s Resurrection. (For the full list of the flower’s religious meaning, click here.)
You will see that the image of the Passion Flower was chosen to be our cover art for Savior’s Lenten sermon series: “The Lord is Gracious & Compassionate”. It is my prayer that this flower will be a gentle reminder to root yourself in the Lord and draw close to his creation (it’s all around you!).
Devotional Resources
As a church we are meditating on Psalm 103:8-14 and have created a Lenten devotional for you to use. May these resources provide opportunities of reflection as we walk through Lent, and preparedness in our souls as we look ahead to Eastertide.
Additionally, here is a Lenten coloring calendar to engage with during Lent (color a square for each day of Lent that passes), and an Alleluia coloring sheet that we used to “bury the alleluia” in our last service of Epiphany. And lastly, for our Good Friday gift, Savior has chosen to partner with DuPage Pads, a Wheaton organization that provides temporary shelter for homeless people and works to get them established in permanent housing. We invite you to create this paper house craft as a reminder to pray for those in need of housing, and to ask the Lord how you are to give financially toward our Good Friday gift this year.
Cover art: Passion Flower (1825) by Jean Bernard (1775-1883). Original from The Rijksmuseum. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.