“Why did the chicken give up sweets for Lent? Because it wanted to egg-sercise more self-control!”
Dear Southport U.M.C.,
We are now about nine days away from Holy Week, and if you’ve been keeping up with your Lenten fast, you might be feeling like your tank is running on fumes. Whether you gave up chocolate, coffee, or (gasp) social media, the struggle is real. But when scripture talks about “emptying ourselves,” it’s not about running on empty—it’s about making space for something greater.
Lent is a season of preparation, a time when we intentionally step back from distractions to refocus on God. It’s inspired by Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, where he fasted and prayed, preparing for his ministry. When Paul writes in Philippians 2 that Jesus “emptied himself” by taking on the role of a servant, he reminds us that true emptiness isn’t depletion—it’s surrender.
So, as we approach Holy Week, I invite you to consider: What do you still need to let go of? Maybe it’s an anxious heart, a grudge, or the weight of trying to do it all. What can you “empty” so that you’re truly ready to celebrate the fullness of Easter morning?
Join us in worship this week as we journey together toward the cross and the joy beyond it. You won’t want to miss it!
Blessings,
Rev. William G. Nickrand
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