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Well, I have been reading so much about Lent on other people's blogs, I decided to face the inevitable post and just do it. Now, I hesitantly write about this because of the religion factor, but after all, it is my blog, so I shall write about whatever I want.
Now that we have that cleared up, I hope no one finds it necessary to leave an ugly comment on what I'm about to say. Cause there is that little red X in the corner-and you can click it if you don't have anything nice to say. My mother used to quote that to me all of the time, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all!" I agree. Amen.
Moving on. My thoughts on Lent. I believe that most people are under the impression that Lent is for giving something up. While that is admirable, the point is not to necessarily give something up, but to grow closer to God. What can you do to grow closer to God? It could be giving something up, or taking something on. You see, God doesn't care if you give up Cheetos or Diet Coke if you aren't learning and growing in Him. The Lenten season is meant for sacrifice. What can you sacrifice to understand 1/1,000,000 of what our Lord did for us on the cross?
If you giving up Diet Coke equals more time for God, then giving up something vice like is for you. However, I tend to think that I could take on something to grow closer to and understand the sacrifices my Jesus made for me.
So, this season I am going to pledge to spend 40 days in study with God. I am finishing up Purpose Driven Life (which is its own post for later :D) and will be finding a new devotion to work on. I have a hard time with a consistent devotion time. I always do it at night before bed, because I am selfish and cannot fathom getting up any earlier. Maybe I should work on that this Lenten season too. Anyways, I am going to take on the task of spending more consistent time with God.
What does Lent mean to you? What do you plan to do for God this Lenten season?
Please know that I am not saying you shouldn't give things up. I've done it for years! It's always chocolate or something like that. My point is, I never grew closer to God, I just was miserable for not having my chocolate or caffeine fix for 40 days. Last year during Lent, I heard a homily that spoke about taking something on to help you in your walk, and that really stuck with me. It's a lot harder to do something more for God, and the Christian walk is never an easy one. It takes a lot of time and effort to have a worthwhile relationship. I hope that my taking on a period of study will help draw me closer and to learn more.
:D
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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I'm not religious, so I'm not celebrating Lent. That said, I couldn't agree more with what you've said. As one who doesn't observe Lent, I probably have no right to comment, but I'm surprised by how many people who "give something up" don't understand the true purpose of the season or the reason for the fasting.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I was thinking of dedicating myself to practicing or doing that something that requires me to spend more time with God over these next 40 days instead of sacrificing something. I think it would help me more.
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ReplyDeleteCrap, I had just planned on giving up with "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" for Lent... Now you've gone and gotten all serious on me. Good thing I'm kind of a Baptist and kind of a Methodist and only a Catholic on Christmas and Easter.
ReplyDeleteAMEN, sister! Well said. I couldn't agree with you more!
ReplyDeleteJust want to say something. And this is not meant as a nasty comment. As I said on a previous person's blog, I'm an atheist. So obviously I don't believe what you believe. And that's fine. I respect that. I even respect people who have strong believes in a god. It's what they believe, who am I to judge? Therefore, just a note, a little mutual respect is always nice. People don't generally take kindly to others saying their personal beliefs, which are as much intrinsic to who they are as anyone else's beliefs, are "sad." I hope you don't take this comment negatively, but rather as a reminder to "do unto others as you would have others do unto you".
ReplyDeleteI agree with Meri about the "do unto others"! Meri, do you know where that originated??? :-)
ReplyDeleteBut I also agree 100% on the judging! "Judge not lest ye be judged....." There is only one I will answer to and He is the Judge of all! I think the spending more time with God is a wonderful idea Susannah!!
A++ on that post suziQ. I agree and I concur! I need to work on my prayer time.
ReplyDeleteMeri, I'm confused...where did I say that other's beliefs were "sad?" I can't find your email or I would talk with you that way. :D I do agree about doing unto others as you would have them do to you, and I respect your religious decisions. However, enlighten me on what I said-oh, are you talking about the comment I left on someone else's blog? About it being sad if people think this life is all,then that is sad? I think I remember now.....
ReplyDeleteI'm not a religious type, so I don't participate in Lent. But I thought this was an interesting take! Thanks for your perspective.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly. Most people use Lent as a way to lose weight or to improve their lifestyle or habits when it should be about growing closer to God. Big reason why I don't "give things up" for Lent. Well, that & having been raised S. Baptist (but now technically Methodist). :)
ReplyDeleteLve that I'm your "tribe leader"!
Cary - Sure do. Basically the point of the statement :)
ReplyDeleteSusannah: Yep, it was on the other blog. No need to email me about it though. Just wanted to plant a seed if you run into any other atheists in your travels :)
I just came upon your blog, love it, and had to comment. My pastor gave a great sermon about this very thing. He said to not look at it as you are giving something up but to look at is as more of an exchange. If you show discipline to him he will reward you. That is the reason for this season! New follower!
ReplyDeleteThis was a GREAT post! And I completely agree :) Add it to our "long lost twin" list :) hehe
ReplyDeleteSus, I think you couldn't have said it better. I whole-heartedly agree with everything you wrote and I am proud of you for talking about this without worrying about offending anyone. God calls us to be bold and courageous. Even if you said that it is "sad" if people think life is all. You're not judging them or being rude. You're saying what is on your heart--because life apart from God is sad, in its true meaning (not sad as in "pathetic"). To those of us who have experienced life with Him, we understand the difference. Your post inspired me to do the same. I've never been one to give up food or anything of that nature, but you've really inspired me to take something on. God would much rather us get closer to Him, even if we're sipping on diet coke in the process. :-) Not that I look down on someone giving up their coke either.
ReplyDeleteSusannah--I love your idea and am going to join in with you! You would think being home on maternity leave would give me plenty of time to spend time in the Word but it's amazing the distractions we manage to find!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. I recently heard someone else mention that same idea. I am realy glad you posted that and hope that it can get people to think about the reason behind their thoughts and actions. Oh, and I did not make that dress for Lucy. Someone else made it. I am working on getting to that level. Thanks for the comments!
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