Dear Reader,
As we step into March, a month full of transitions and meaningful observances, I want to take a moment to reflect with you. March is that in-between time—winter is losing its grip, spring is knocking at the door, and life seems to be waking up again. For those hoping for a long weekend or a federal holiday… well, sorry, I couldn’t find one for this month.
That said, March is still packed with significance. We’re already sixty days into the year. Can you believe that? It feels like we just rang in 2025, yet here we are, moving full speed ahead.
This coming Wednesday, March 5, 2025, marks Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent—a season of reflection, repentance, and preparation leading up to Easter. Lent lasts forty days, mirroring the time Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before facing temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). It’s a time to hit pause, take a deep breath, and really think about where we are in our faith and in our lives.
On Ash Wednesday, Christians receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross—a reminder of our mortality and our need for God’s grace. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” That’s a humbling thought, isn’t it?
But Lent isn’t just about reflecting; it’s about action. It’s a time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—practices that help us grow spiritually and draw closer to God. The question is: What will you do with these forty days? How will you use this time to deepen your faith, serve others, and realign your focus?
I’ve been thinking a lot about that myself. Lent has always had a special place in my heart. Back in junior high and high school, my best friend and I served as acolytes during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. I can still feel the weight of those moments—the dim lighting, the deep reverence, the reminder of Christ’s sacrifice.
Fast forward to 2004, when The Passion of the Christ was released. That movie put an unshakable image in my mind of what Jesus endured for me, for you, for all of us. And here we are, living in comfort, scrolling through our phones, sipping coffee—while He gave everything for us. It’s a sobering thought. But that’s a story for next month’s blog.
What About St. Patrick’s Day?
Of course, March 17th brings us St. Patrick’s Day, a celebration of Irish heritage, green everything, and… let’s be honest, maybe a little too much revelry for some. But at its heart, St. Patrick’s Day is about faith and mission.
St. Patrick wasn’t even Irish—he was British! Kidnapped and enslaved in Ireland, he later escaped, only to return as a missionary, bringing Christianity to the very people who had once enslaved him. Imagine that. He even used the shamrock to explain the Trinity—one plant, three leaves, one God.
So while the parades and festivities are fun, take a moment to reflect on the real message of St. Patrick’s life: forgiveness, perseverance, and unwavering faith.
A Challenge for Lent
We have forty days, starting this Wednesday, to examine our lives and prepare our hearts for Easter. I challenge you (as I challenge myself) to take an honest look at your life:
- How have you been living?
- What would people say if you died today?
- Are you truly walking in faith, or just going through the motions?
If there are things in your life that need work, start small, but start.
And don’t just think about your own journey—think about others. How can you be a lamp on a lampstand for the people around you? How can you help them see God’s love through your actions?
One of my favorite quotes from Zig Ziglar, which John Maxwell often references, is this:
“You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”
Let that sink in.
Maybe these forty days aren’t about giving something up but about giving more of yourself—to your family, your friends, your coworkers, even strangers. Maybe this Lent is your chance to strengthen relationships, change your attitude, and be the kind of leader who lifts others up.
And trust me, I know firsthand how much our mindset and approach impact those around us. A shift from negative to positive can change not just your life, but the lives of the people closest to you.
Connecting Through Communication
I’ve been reading John Maxwell’s Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, and let me tell you—it’s been eye-opening.
Too often, we think we’re communicating when we’re really just talking. But real connection happens when we listen, when we engage, when we truly understand the people in front of us. When we fail to connect, it damages relationships, weakens teams, and limits our impact. But when we learn to connect, everything changes.
So here’s my challenge for you this month: use Lent as a time to reflect, serve, and connect.
Ask yourself:
- Who in my life needs encouragement?
- How can I be more intentional in my conversations?
- What steps can I take to strengthen my faith and leadership?
March is a time of transition. A time of renewal. A time to dig deep.
So let’s not let these forty days slip by. Let’s lean in, reflect, and take action—in faith, in leadership, and in how we serve those around us.
I’m on this journey with you. Let’s walk it well.
Forty Days of Renewal: Embracing Lent, Leadership, and Growth