Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God.
-Joel 2:12-13
Today is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of the Lent season, the 40 days leading up to Easter. What will I give up? And why? I believe it's good to set apart times to do something different and refocus. I want to observe Lent, not out of ritual, but as a true sacrifice from my heart. I want to rend my heart and return to the Lord my God once again.
I'm still praying about what to give up. I'm a little late this time, but I'll figure it out before the day is over. Do you observe Lent? Why? If you do, what are you giving up this season?
6 comments:
Can I give up the right to "self"? Sometimes Im all I see, and all I think about.
I have never observed Lent, but it sounds like a good exercise for a self indulgent one like myself.
I think that's a great idea. how might that look for you for the next 39 days?
As I sat thinking and praying last night about what to give up I thought about the idea of giving up alcohol. (I had just had a beer with dinner.) Then I thought, no, I'd rather give up sugar or anything else than alcohol. I don't drink every day, but often enough that I would notice having to give it up for the Lenten season. Well, I feel the best way to die to self for me right now is to give up what I don't want to, and what is unnecessary. I will not drink for the next 39 days. I'm looking forward to see how God will use that.
I think the Lenten season is a great time to die to self, and be transformed and brought back to life in Him, just as he died and was raised again for us. I encourage all to think about engaging in the practice this season.
Chris, (my husband), decided to join me in giving up alcohol for Lent. I didn't even ask him to. Isn't that nice? So if you see us a month or so from now and we've lost a few pounds, you'll know where we dropped some calories. :-)
Well I'm a little late coming to this. I'm ashamed to admit I had a hard time thinking of something I was willing to give up. What does that say about me? *sigh*
But tonight, as the words flowed out my mouth I realized. I have got to stop swearing. Yes I admit it. I can talk like a sailor when I am mad, frustrated or just cannot think of a constructive way to get my point across.
My poor animals have been the latest victims. But my kids hear it and sometimes repeat it. As a family we need to stop. I can't be mad at my kids when I catch them. Just makes me a hypocrite in their eyes.
So I'm practicing my "gosh", "golly's" and "Oh my's"!!
I blew it. It has not been a good few days. Can I have a do over?
Hmm. I think God's grace is pretty big. Just keep trucking in your re-commitment. I'm with you on having some not good days. I have been so close to giving up on my commitment as well. Something about spending most of my savings makes me feel I deserve a beer. This Lent has not been easy for me. I guess that's good? Hopefully God is teaching me through it.
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