How many of you out there in blog world are doing anything to observe lent??
I have never done it... I have talked about doing it... but have never actually committed to anything. I guess the pressure to do something isn't really there because as a non-denominational protestant, I have never been required to actually give something up for lent. But part of me has always been curious to do it.
I was brainstorming last night with my roommates about what I could give up to observe the 40 days leading up to Easter and I threw out some ideas. BUT the catch is... you are supposed to give something up that would take away from you spending time with God. Now, if I am being honest, I have been thinking of limiting my Facebook time (not giving it up entirely, but LIMITING). But, my roommate asked me if I'd really be using the time I would normally have been on facebook to spend time with God? Convicting... because the answer is probably no. I would probably try... and then I would fail... and then I would feel that lovely religious guilt. ugh.
So will I do it?? Lent starts today (with it being Ash Wednesday and all) and so for the next 40 days I SHOULD be limiting my time on facebook... but the honest truth is, I have already not been very good at it.
So here is what I ask from you... word of encouragement... What are your ideas on Lent? Will you observe it in any way? If so, what will you be giving up? If not, why?
4 comments:
A thought that was passed on to me - consider what you would replace the distraction with, especially if it's a time-intensive habit. So one year I gave up my evening chocolate snacktime and replaced it with a 10-minute prayer time (praying in part about what i was needing from the chocolate that God could fill instead). Another time I gave up a favorite evening TV show, and did some journaling and Bible study. Another time I skipped all radio in the car - not because it was bad, but just to try spending the quiet drives thinking or praying or actually paying attention to the road. I've found that really helpful to examine why i choose certain emotional crutches, even minor ones, and face that life does go on without them. Sometimes better.
Oooh, I really love what Laura wrote... choosing something to give up but can be replaced with time with God. Such as, hiking with God rather than computer time... talking to God in the car rather than listen to the radio or iPod... going for a walk with God rather than snacking after dinner.
I just may incorporate one of these starting today.
Thanks Miranda.
So what did you decide? Personally I've always thought it was odd to give up something just for a short period of time and then go back to it after Lent. If it's worth giving up for a short time, isn't it worth giving up forever or at least for the majority of time? I don't know, I guess it's just something about the "forced" action in a specific time period as opposed to a willing choice when God lays it on your heart.
You don't have give something up you can do something news. Volunteer more than you might already. Pray more than you might already. Be nice to a stranger everyday. You get the idea, make it a positive instead of a negative.
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