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Reverse Lent

I have been thinking about Lent recently. Since it started, really. I'm not sure why I didn't start thinking about it sooner, but better late than never, right?

Last year, I gave up dessert.
In 2008, I gave up music.

This year, as I've been ruminating on it, nothing jumped out. Not that my life is perfect or ideally balanced. But there hasn't been anything that I've settled on and thought, This is what I should give up.

And then I had another thought. What if I didn't give anything up? What if I added something to my life instead?

The point of Lent (from what I understand) is to give something up that helps us refocus and reflect on Jesus. Well what if I can get the same result by putting something new in place?

The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. Especially because (this may come as a shocker) I don't actually read my Bible every day. I know...you would think that someone in "full-time ministry" for nearly four years would be a better Christian than that!

In the past year, I've felt great freedom from the sort of legalism that has seeped throughout much of my life when it comes to things like this. And now I find myself at a place where I want more time with Jesus and with the Bible, not because I should but because it makes me happy.

So it seems obvious that this Lent, instead of giving something up, I'm adding something in.

I'm gonna start every day with Jesus. First thing. Gonna keep my Bible and my journal right next to my bed, and before I turn on my computer, check my email or eat my breakfast, I'm going to sit up and dig in.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Comments

  1. V7:12 PM

    Fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MLF7:22 PM

    Awesome! I know you will be bless for your hearts desire to know Him better.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sarah9:47 PM

    Thanks for your honesty.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jenn11:02 PM

    Surprise, Surprise! You are doing exactly what I'm doing for Lent!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Amelia12:24 AM

    I think it's great to add something to your life--especially if that something is reading God's word.

    I just wanted to comment on your thoughts about the point of lent: lent is actually a reflection of Jesus' 40 days fasting in the desert. Traditionally, Christians have used lent as a time of sober preparation for the observance of Good Friday and the celebration of Easter. While Jesus doesn't demand fasting (especially in the desert!) there is some value in giving some up in order to focus on God as Christ Himself did it. I have tried both (giving up, and also adding something) and I find both to be valuable.

    I'm sure God will teach you a lot as you dig into His word, just wanted to also note that sacrifice helps us surface our idols (ie: i turn to chocolate when i'm stressed, or ice cream, or cookies....and that actually takes me from God), as well as to help us to sober up from our consumer and comfort driven lives. :-)

    ReplyDelete

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