I have never observed the Season of Lent before, mostly because I didn't understand it. I thought it was a Catholic thing and I am not Catholic, so I should not be a part of it. I did some research(and by that I mean I googled it, ha!) and discovered what it's all about.
Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. All churches that have a continuous history extending before AD 1500 observe Lent. The ancient church that wrote, collected, canonized, and propagated the New Testament also observed Lent, believing it to be a commandment from the apostles.
Taken from KenCollins.com
The forty days of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (that's today) and goes for 40 days,
excluding Sundays, which are a celebration of the resurrection.
Christians are asked to "fast" something; to give it up for the season of Lent.
The purpose of this is to deprive yourself of something that you eat/do daily so that when you think about eating/doing that thing you will be reminded and will pray instead.
It is a season of Spiritual growth.
I am observing Lent by giving up: Coffee(I know, I'm crazy right?) and soda.
I make coffee twice a day and am drinking it all day, so this is going to be tough for me.
The soda won't be as hard, but I thought I should throw that in too.
I am also going through Rick Warren's book The Purpose Driven Life.
It's a 40 day spiritual journey to finding God's purpose for your life.
It just seemed fitting to me;)
Each day there is a Point to Ponder, Verse to Remember and a Question to Consider.
I will write it on the white board each morning so that I will see it
as I go through the day to help it all sink in.
Here's my book and three different versions of the Bible.
I like to read in multiple versions because sometimes things get lost in translation.
I am so excited to start this season and to see what God has in store for me.
Are you observing Lent?
If so, what are you giving up?
4 comments:
We are observing Lent in our house. My husband and I each choose to give up fast food. This is going to be rough for us we have crazy schedules and are always dropping into the drive thru to grab something. Even today I thought as I was running to DMV, I'll just stop and grab something at Taco Bell, lol. Of course I didn't, and came back into the house to grab some snacks for the kids. I have a friend who is fasting the internet, his phone and alcohol. WOW!
I had never thought of observing Lent since I am likewise non-Catholic. But it really is a great idea. Thanks for the inspiration! Now I just have to decide what to cut out. :)
I am Catholic, and Lent is my favorite time in the Catholic liturgical year. Whatever I'm struggling with, or lacking in my life, I tend to figure it out during lent. I always come out of it renewed.
When I was younger I would give something up, usually cake, or chocolate, but as I got older, for the past 10 years, for me it's about giving more of myself. I go to church everyday during lent. It brings me closer to God and helps me to take inventory of usually what I'm not doing that I should be doing. It reminds me of putting me aside, and living his will, being a better Christian.
So it's not always giving up something as a sacrifice, as much as sacrificing me giving to others. I bring a neighbor dinner, visit a nursing home, call someone that could use cheering up. Lent is like going in for a tune up, it just turns your Christianity up a notch.
I love that you added reading the Purpose Driven life also. I think I will join you since my DH has a copy sitting here in eye shot as I write this. I was also going to give up coffee but decided that would be just cruel to my three teens. I have given up my potty mouth that I felt spiritually led anyways. I've also commited to giving up meat. I guess for the last few months we will have to just remind ourselves..Comitment before comfort and pray on it.
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