Lent 2012

Sometimes it is really difficult to think of what to give up for lent, what to take out of my life for 40 days so I can devote that to God. What are my distractions? What do I let myself do instead of giving that time to Him? I could probably come up with about 10 different things in my life that can apply here. With this type of decision, it should not be just something I want out of my life, it should not be something I give up just because it is lent and I should give something up. There needs to be a reason behind it.


In college I would do this, give up something just to say I was giving up something, whether it be soda or junk food or Nacho Man (this is not a joke, I attempted to give up Nacho Man my freshman year, almost lasted too). None of these were fulfilling, why did I give up these things? I did not replace my 'time' spent with these things with anything productive. It was not to honor God in anyway, I just wanted to give up something because everyone else was. Why are you giving something up? Think of the real reason...is it to replace that time spent for extra Jesus time? Are you giving something up for selfish reasons or Godly reasons? Why are you giving up Facebook? Are you going to use the time you use to go on Facebook to get in your Word? To pray? Or are you going to fill your non-Facebook time with some other useless task?

A few years ago in Tri-Cities all the young people at my church gave up media for 21 days. No internet, except for work-related tasks, no TV, no video games, no movies. What do you do when you can't use any of these anymore? You spend time with God. You spend time fellowshipping with others. This was probably the best time in my life. We would all get together and hang out, we would play board games and talk and really spend time with each other. How often do we do this anymore? We chat on social media, we text, we watch TV with each other but how often do we really spend time with friends and family and really get to know each other?

This year I decided to give up my mornings. I have a bad habit of throwing on the TV when I get up in the morning, put on Boy Meets World and go about my morning process. I sit there and watch when I have my breakfast and coffee and get ready. Where is my God time? Where is my prayer time? Exactly. I have forever noticed when I do not get up and devote time to God in the morning my days are chaotic. When I get up and get in my Word, and pray and 'put on my armor of God' I have a much better day. This is not automatically going to make it an easy day, but I can deal with issues and trials better. When I spend time with God in the morning, I know just a little more that everything is going to be ok and I can handle anything life throws at me. What a great feeling this is!

If you need help, the YouVersion Bible has some awesome lent Bible plans. This can help get you through the 40 days, give you something to follow and read.

Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV)
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

This is good to have. Don't be boastful on what you are giving up, don't give something up just to show that you are observing Lent and giving something up. I don't believe this passage is telling you to hide it from everyone, but don't boast about it. Let people know to hold you accountable and to support you, not to show you are 'a good Christian' because you are giving something up.

Hopefully whatever you decide to give up for lent, you use that time wisely. You fill that time with something more productive and give it to God. There should be a reason you are giving it up, a purpose. And tell the world. Have others help hold you accountable for your mission. We need to help each other through this, walk each other through it and be a shoulder to lean on!