Skip to main content

I Give 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.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thank you God for Leading us

Thank you God for how you lead us. Like a shepherd leading his sheep. Sometimes through the words you spoke in the Bible, your written word. at other times, it was the wise words from friends,  coworkers,or neighbors spoken at just the right time. Still other times it was a gentle tug,   a whisper to our heart to move  in one direction or another;  intuition or a sixth sense that one   way or another was right or wrong    Yet, when I listened and obeyed   I found the way was clear, distinct and easy to follow. You never leave us to guess which way to go.                                                                                                      ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Grow Old Gracefully

I’d like to tell you about a lady I visited yesterday.   She is ninety-five years young.  She recently moved into nursing home.  She asked one of the workers how many times she would have to walk around the outside of the building in order to walk a mile.  She said the person told her about ten.   Then she leaned in really close and whispered, “I walked around twelve just to be sure I walked a mile.”  Hahahaha! What a lady!  She loves to keep active, even in a nursing home.  As we talked, I saw no anger or bitterness in her speech or actions. There was only a love for God, a heart of compassion, and a sense of humor. She has befriended the one "prickly pear" at the home because as she said, “I have to love her, so she knows Jesus loves her too.”  Wow!!! I need to live like that!  I want to show that much compassion for those around me that need Jesus.  She loved to talk about God and what he was teaching her. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

What’s That Smell?

To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. 2Corinthians 2:16 Last break!  The shift was almost over. Then the unthinkable happened, this man appeared out of nowhere wanting to know where the flashlights were kept.  As we were on our way to the flashlights, I noticed that this man had a very strong odor.  I thought perhaps I could get in front of him so that the smell would not be as strong.   That, however, was not to be either since; he insisted on keeping pace and walking right beside me. By the time we got to where the flashlights were; I was practically running just to keep ahead of him.  I showed him the flashlights and made a hasty exit.  If you’re like me, you shower and even put on perfume or cologne so that you will not stink.  We are concerned that the smell coming from our body is not offensive to others.  As I write this, I wonder if we are as concerned with our spiritual aroma as ...
Post a Comment
Read more