In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. – Isaiah 40:3
I remember when I truly didn’t fully understand the meaning of Lent, thinking that Lent was about just giving up things. Then I learned that the practice of giving something up for Lent is a way of entering into the wilderness with Jesus, and we are to focus on getting into the life of the Spirit, denying our ways and embracing God’s. Plus, Lent is about adding “God things,” so I went to Google and found this list and felt sharing this would be helpful to everyone, just as it’s helpful to me.
- Having given up junk food for a healthy diet, what will you do with the energy you gain?
- Having given up reading magazines, what will you read now?
- Having given up Facebook, to whom will you devote meaningful conversation?
- Having given up lunch, how will you rely on God for the strength of “food from heaven”?
- Having given up TV as a default activity, how will you use that time to cultivate quality family time?
- Having given up isolation, how will you immerse yourself in community?
- Having given up shopping, will you see those who need clothing in your city?
- Having sacrificed whatever form of selfishness you indulge; how will you meet the needs of others?
Don’t worry about whether your sacrifice is a good one. It’s not a contest. Just make your aim to know Christ more fully and trust him to lead you.
– Rev. Connie Barnett, Asbury Campus Pastor
