I can tell you are intrigued.
I have been on a "change of self" kick here lately anyway. I'm tired of complaining that I'm flabby so I decided to work out. Simple fix right?
I want to read the entire Bible. You know what you have to do to accomplish that? Read the Bible. It is a novel idea. But the real trick is doing it consistently. So I I've been stricter about this as well.
And then comes the Lenten season. And here are some of my random thoughts about this before we get into the meat of today's lesson.
As I understand it from conventional (aka worldly) wisdom is: Lent is 40 days of sacrificing something in the name of God. Great.
Ash Wednesday is when we rub soot on our heads in the name of God. Weird.
To kick this all off, lets all indulge ourselves like a bunch of lazy, fat, drunken, gluttons... in the name of God? Whuck?!
The meat:
That just doesn't seem like the real intent of Lent. I mean, one of the most ancient customs in Christian history... and we made sin a part of the tradition? (That sneaky little devil got into our ritual me thinks).
And then, it seems to me, most people give up something that is more of a "diet for God." Am I right?
And I've been guilty of it before too. I've given up sweets, Dr. Pepper, sodas in general... you get it. Many people give up alcohol or fried foods. All of this to be "healthier" but it still sounds like a "diet for God" and guess what? He doesn't need a diet. Him being Almighty and what not.
So what is the true, real purpose of Lent? Is it about sacrifice? Sure. But to me, it needs to be a sacrifice that brings you closer to God. Giving up donuts may be a sacrifice to some, but it more brings you closer to your high school weight and not necessarily to God.
So my challenge to you all as you are deciding what to "give up for Lent", actually take a moment to assess your relationship with God and what holds you back from Him.
Full self disclosure here: When I pray for other people, I get closer to God. When I don't, I feel further away. Quick fix? Commit to 40 days of praying for other people. Simple, right?
I also compare myself to others WAY too much. Which enters jealousy. And since we all know that Jesus loves jealousy and really finds it rewarding (He doesn't, btw... some of you aren't so hot with the sarcasm sometimes so I thought I'd help you out there), that brings me away from God and gives the devil a big wide open opportunity to come in and destroy.
Here's an idea: Stop comparing myself, life, etc. to others. Now that one is not as simple. It is more challenging because you just naturally find yourself doing it. So when I find myself doing it, I have to stop, pray for forgiveness and a change in frame of mind. Also, thank God at that moment for the great things in my life (which are endless). And after 40 days of that routine... I think I might have a better handle on it.
So please take a few minutes and assess your relationship with God. What gets in your way? Where does the devil find his opportunity with you? Is it gossip? Is it television? Is it money? Is it jealousy? Is it fear of Him? What is it? You already know.
Whatever it is, find it and commit to changing it. For 40 days. And for the sake of Saint Pete... don't muck it all up today because it is Fat Tuesday and for some reason our culture has determined the to be the universal day of acting stupid and doing wrong. That's just dumb no matter how you slice it.
**I just noticed that in my post about relationships with God, the only image on this blog was of the devil. So I sought out a reaffirming picture. If you have read Heaven is for Real, you know that the little boy said all the pictures of Jesus were wrong, and he would constantly point out what was wrong with them. Then a little girl in Europe starting painting pictures of Jesus and when the little boy saw them he said, "That's him." And just stared at the painting. Well... here it is:
