This year more than other years, I've been hearing and reading about people who are "giving things up" for Lent. Most of the people that I have heard of are giving up stuff like Facebook, chocolate, movies. I think I should give up work. Hahahaha ok not really. I applaud these people. Lent is a time when we are supposed to be preparing for Easter and if "fasting" from something helps you in that endeavor then more power to you. I would, however, like to suggest that we look at our motives. I am not writing this to say that these people are wrong in their "fasts". I have no idea of their motives; that's between them and God and not my business. I WOULD like to suggest that we test our motives. Are we giving something up so that we can have more time with God? or just more time, in general? I want to urge you/ myself to be sure that if we're hoping to "free up time" to put the extra time to good use. Don't give up one "time consumer" for another. I have read about one concept that I think is great. The more I have thought about it, the better it seems. It is called a "reverse Lent". Instead of fasting or giving something up, add something to your schedule. You might add: writing a note of encouragement to someone, helping a neighbor, spending extra time with God, and the list goes on. As I said before, I am not writing to condemn anyone. If you feel the need to give up something great. If you're not convicted in this area, that's fine too. I personally have mixed feelings about it. I may give up social media for a few weeks or maybe television. I haven't decided for sure. In the past, when I have given up something for Lent or even just as a fast. I end up just wasting the extra time or replacing the free time with work, and I'm not entirely sure that is pleasing to God. This time, I want to be sure I'm doing it because I feel that God wants me to give something up. If I do give something up, I will likely add one of these ideas that I suggested; replacing what I gave up.
This year more than other years, I've been hearing and reading about people who are "giving things up" for Lent. Most of the people that I have heard of are giving up stuff like Facebook, chocolate, movies. I think I should give up work. Hahahaha ok not really. I applaud these people. Lent is a time when we are supposed to be preparing for Easter and if "fasting" from something helps you in that endeavor then more power to you. I would, however, like to suggest that we look at our motives. I am not writing this to say that these people are wrong in their "fasts". I have no idea of their motives; that's between them and God and not my business. I WOULD like to suggest that we test our motives. Are we giving something up so that we can have more time with God? or just more time, in general? I want to urge you/ myself to be sure that if we're hoping to "free up time" to put the extra time to good use. Don't give up one "time consumer" for another. I have read about one concept that I think is great. The more I have thought about it, the better it seems. It is called a "reverse Lent". Instead of fasting or giving something up, add something to your schedule. You might add: writing a note of encouragement to someone, helping a neighbor, spending extra time with God, and the list goes on. As I said before, I am not writing to condemn anyone. If you feel the need to give up something great. If you're not convicted in this area, that's fine too. I personally have mixed feelings about it. I may give up social media for a few weeks or maybe television. I haven't decided for sure. In the past, when I have given up something for Lent or even just as a fast. I end up just wasting the extra time or replacing the free time with work, and I'm not entirely sure that is pleasing to God. This time, I want to be sure I'm doing it because I feel that God wants me to give something up. If I do give something up, I will likely add one of these ideas that I suggested; replacing what I gave up.
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