Dear Friend,
As you journey through Be the Neighbor – Lent on Purpose, I want to encourage you—don’t just read it, engage with it! Grab a notebook (or the back of an old receipt, no judgment here) and jot down what God is teaching you. Let this devotional be more than just words on a page—let it guide your heart and actions this Lent. And please, don’t walk this road alone! Grab a friend, your family, or even that one neighbor who always borrows your tools (maybe they’ll return them). Pray together, share what you’re learning, and encourage each other to actually be the neighbor Jesus calls us to be. Growth happens in community, and I believe God is going to do something incredible in your life through this journey.
Lent is here, and I want to invite you on a journey—one that will challenge you, stretch you, and, if you let it, change you. But don’t worry, you’re not walking this road alone. We’re in this together.
About Lent...
Lent is an ancient tradition of the Christian Church, a 40-day season (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter. Its roots go back to the early centuries of Christianity when believers prepared for Easter through fasting, prayer, and repentance. The 40 days reflect the time Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness, where He faced temptation and remained steadfast in His obedience to God (Matthew 4:1-11).
But Lent isn’t just about giving something up—it’s about making room for more of Jesus. It’s a time to realign our hearts with God, stripping away distractions so we can hear His voice more clearly. Through fasting, we learn dependence on Him. Through prayer, we draw closer to His heart. Through acts of love and generosity, we live out our faith in real and tangible ways.
The Church practices Lent because we recognize that faith isn’t just about celebrating the resurrection—it’s also about preparing our hearts for it. When we walk through the season of Lent with intention, we experience the depth of our need for Christ and the overwhelming grace of His sacrifice. It helps us grow, shaping us to be more like Him, not just for 40 days but for every day of our lives. So as we journey through Lent, may it not be just a ritual, but a time of renewal, transformation, and deepening love for Jesus.
That’s why this devotional exists. Each weekday, you’ll find a short reading—nothing too long, but packed with meaning. There’s Scripture to meditate on (maybe even memorize if you’re feeling ambitious!), encouragement for the day, and a challenge to help you be the neighbor Jesus calls us to be.
We’re going to focus on some of the big themes Jesus taught:
Loving God and Loving Others – because that’s the heart of everything.
Compassion – seeing people the way Jesus does and actually doing something about it.
Love that Crosses Barriers – stepping beyond our comfort zones to make a real impact.
Reflecting God’s Mercy – because we’re called to be people of grace, not just receivers of it.
Extending Forgiveness – yeah, it’s hard, but it sets us free.
Walking in Sacrificial Love – the kind of love that costs something but changes everything.
The Passion of Christ – the reason we do all of this in the first place.
One more thing—I want to challenge you to take this beyond these pages. There’s an amazing (and free!) tool called The Bless App that can help you engage with your actual, real-life neighbors in simple but powerful ways. Whether it’s praying for someone, meeting a need, or just being present, this is one small step toward living out the mission of Connecting Lives, Deepening Faith & Transforming Communities. I am providing you with step-by-step instructions on how to access, sign up for and utilize The Bless App following the Week One challenge.
So, friend, let’s take this seriously. Let’s dive deep. Let’s use this season to love God fiercely and love people well. Because at the end of the day, that’s what this whole faith journey is about. I’m with you in this—praying, fasting, and stepping forward in faith. Let’s go!
With you on the journey,
Eric
