It’s Lent season. And instead of doing something that is typical for most lent-partakers, I’ve decided to do something this year. I think it’s really important to understand the point of lent, at least in my eyes. I remember being in highschool and watching Laura tell our friend Amanda that if she eats chocolate more than three times in the 40 days of lent, that she can shave Laura’s eyebrow off. It was hysterical. [Don’t worry kids, she failed THREE times and that was it.] Then a few years later I remember giving up pop before my friend Anna’s wedding. The day of her wedding we were getting our hair done and the salon we were at offered us coke, and I knew lent was over and I was allowed to have my first sip. It was still just as delightful as I had remembered. Last year I even tried to give up chocolate, but let me tell you, I failed. You can’t give up chocolate when you are in your friend’s wedding and they are having a dessert bar instead of dinner.
Through all these experiences however, I’ve never felt closer to God. It was never like, oh I gave up [blank] and now I can replace that empty space with Jesus. And isn’t that the point anyway? One of my friends told me yesterday that the reason Catholics give up meat for lent is because the fish industry was doing poorly and needed a reason for people to eat fish. And if that is the real reason, that’s ridiculous. Where is God in that?
I’ve also noticed that the things I choose to give up never are really FOR God. I like to use the excuse that “God would want my body to be healthy, so this is a good idea” even though what I’m really thinking is “I’m going to give up [blank] because if I don’t have it for 40 days I might lose weight!” Not really the feeling I was going for.
So now here I am, Lent season starting today, and I had to decide what I was going to do. Most people would say don’t bother with it because it means nothing, but I enjoy being a part of it. And yes, I also make New Year’s Resolution… so what? ANYWAY… I thought about it and decided last Sunday at church that I am going to watch a sermon a day. Yes, I’m not giving up something, unless you say I’m giving up my “time” that I could be doing other things. But if I want to get closer to God, why not actually be proactive about it? It’s still teaching discipline in your faith. And hey, I will learn a lot about the God I choose to follow. What do I hope to get out of this? Knowledge, wisdom, grace, obedience, desire, hope, and longing for Him. Matthew 7:8 says “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knows it shall be opened.” And of course James 4:8 says “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” These are the things I want. If I’m drawing near to him through scripture and sermons, I will desire Him more. Now that’s what I call a win.
Whether I’m doing lent wrong or not, this is the way I want to do it. And hopefully I succeed. Day 1 out of 40: complete!
On a very sad note, someone from my college died in a car accident on Monday. The roads were slick with the fresh snow that was falling, and she lost control and slid into oncoming traffic. That’s when a semi hit her. From what I’ve read, she died in the accident. Her name was Steffanie Dahlseng and while I wasn’t close to her in any way, I still knew her through my journalism classes. It breaks my heart especially because she was married for less than a year and with child (6 months into pregnancy). Ouch. While I have no doubt that she isn’t in Heaven, it still hurts. I can’t stop thinking about how her friends and family feel because I know what it feels like. Maybe I haven’t lost a spouse, but we all know that we lost Travis almost 9 years ago. My memories don’t fade on how that felt. I pray for everyone who knew her well that they feel peace with You and draw near to You in such rough times. Give understanding, hope, and life to the people affected by this tragic scene.
Love, A
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