Are you a procrastinator or a planner?

As a high school student, I often found myself scrambling to finish projects the night before they were due. My attempts to plan out my time and work toward a goal inevitably turned into rushing across the finish line at the last possible moment. And, while I always completed my homework in time, I found that the whole experience was stressful instead of enlightening. Because I was rushing, many lessons didn’t stick in my mind.

While I curbed my procrastination habit in college, I still fall back into old patterns of waiting until the last second—especially when it comes to spiritual discipline and Scripture. I struggle to take advantage of seasons of meditation and preparation like Advent and Lent, which are designed to help us think more deeply about the significance of Christmas and Easter. Instead, these significant days creep up on me each year, and I do little to prepare my heart or mind.

While you’ve likely experienced your own struggle with spiritual discipline, God’s Word offers strength and encouragement. By looking to Scripture, you and I can use seasons like Lent to prepare our hearts and deepen our dependence on our heavenly Father—just like Jesus did.

USE GOD’S WORD TO PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR EASTER

Lent is modeled after Jesus’s 40 days in the desert, where he experienced fierce temptation and angelic aid before he began his earthly ministry:

At once the Spirit made him go into the desert, where he stayed forty days, being tempted by Satan. Wild animals were there also, but angels came and helped him.

Mark 1:12-13 (GNT)

Jesus used this time to prepare his heart and mind for ministry by fasting and praying. He knew that he needed communion with his heavenly Father and set aside food, water, and comfort to seek God’s face. In the same way, we can prepare ourselves for significant moments in our lives by foregoing everyday distractions to help us focus on Scripture and draw closer to God.

Avoid procrastination and take the time to intentionally prepare your heart for Easter by considering these five verses from Scripture during the Lenten season.

Lent calls us to humble our hearts and seek God’s face.

Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (GNT)

Lent invites us to experience God’s mercy and forgiveness.

“But even now,” says the LORD,
“repent sincerely and return to me
with fasting and weeping and mourning.
Let your broken heart show your sorrow;
tearing your clothes is not enough.”

Come back to the LORD your God.
He is kind and full of mercy;
he is patient and keeps his promise;
he is always ready to forgive and not punish.
Perhaps the LORD your God will change his mind
and bless you with abundant crops.
Then you can offer him grain and wine.

Joel 2:12-14 (GNT)

Lent helps us learn to value Scripture like Jesus did.

Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.’”

Matthew 4:4 (GNT)

Lent makes us mindful of God’s priorities.

“The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.

“Then my favor will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you to save you; my presence will protect you on every side. When you pray, I will answer you. When you call to me, I will respond.”

Isaiah 58:6-9 (GNT)

Lent trains our hearts to trust God and wait on his deliverance.

The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue,
Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.
The Lord is all I have, and so in him I put my hope.

The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him,
So it is best for us to wait in patience—to wait for him to save us.

Lamentations 3:22-26 (GNT)