It has been a while since I've shared and as we begin the practice of Lent tomorrow, I wanted to share my thoughts.
I really want to have a good lent. But what does that mean?
I really want to have a good lent. But what does that mean?
For me, it means simplifying, scaling back on the worldly things. It means pulling back from indulgence, abundance, and excess in order to clean out my soul. Lent is a detox for the soul. I want to feel refreshed, renewed on Easter Sunday- ready to receive all the goodness of the resurrection.
Giving something up for lent isn't an old fashioned, meaningless ritual unless of course, that's how we practice it. The Church gives us touch-points, a cadence to our year that helps us to grow in holiness. There are times of fasting and sacrifice, and there are times of celebration and excess. So no, lent isn't about merely giving up some treat or vice, it is about recognizing how many things come between us and God, and our willingness to let go of even just one of these as an offering to Him, as a way of saying...yes, I really love this, but I love You more. I will let go of this to make room in my heart, my thoughts, and my schedule for more of You.
Giving something up for lent isn't an old fashioned, meaningless ritual unless of course, that's how we practice it. The Church gives us touch-points, a cadence to our year that helps us to grow in holiness. There are times of fasting and sacrifice, and there are times of celebration and excess. So no, lent isn't about merely giving up some treat or vice, it is about recognizing how many things come between us and God, and our willingness to let go of even just one of these as an offering to Him, as a way of saying...yes, I really love this, but I love You more. I will let go of this to make room in my heart, my thoughts, and my schedule for more of You.
Choosing to see God as the center of our lives is difficult with all of the other distractions of our world today. But don't be too quick to blame our culture. The practice of lent and the sacrifice that we are called to make came about long before technology, television, or even electricity. We are distracted because we are broken. We choose to replace God as the center of our lives, not because there are so many other more appealing things vying for our attention, but because we believe we could do something better. We believe that we have something more important, more valuable to add; as if God didn't create everything perfectly already. We put ourselves at the center of everything, regardless of how many or how few gadgets we choose to purchase. We can become distracted with our own thoughts of grandeur which lead us away from God.
Choose to see lent, not as a church-thing or an obligation, but as a season of sacrificial discipline during which we prepare our hearts for Easter in the same way that Jesus sacrificed in the desert prior to his ministry. Choose to practice this season of sacrifice if only to admit that we often supplant God from His rightful place in our lives and in our hearts. If I want to produce better fruit, I must first take this time to willingly be pruned. Yes, Lord. I am here and willing.
Choose to see lent, not as a church-thing or an obligation, but as a season of sacrificial discipline during which we prepare our hearts for Easter in the same way that Jesus sacrificed in the desert prior to his ministry. Choose to practice this season of sacrifice if only to admit that we often supplant God from His rightful place in our lives and in our hearts. If I want to produce better fruit, I must first take this time to willingly be pruned. Yes, Lord. I am here and willing.
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