I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.


CS Lewis

Monday, February 29, 2016

Lenten Accountability

As we've begun our third week of Lent, about a third of the way through this season. I thought this might be a good time to check in and see how our Lenten journey has been progressing. Oftentimes, we start Lent with good intentions a list of things we are going to do better, similar to New Year's Resolutions. But as the days where on, we realize that giving up red meat or Netflix or going to happy hours was harder than we had originally planned, and we're slipping.

But that means we're doing something right! Fasting is not supposed to be easy. It is not supposed to be something we casually do throughout these weeks, but something that we strive to do, something that we focus on, and truly bring God closer to us as we try to give up these things that build a wall between God and God's Love. So check yourself:

  • Are you making excuses to consciously break your fast? Such as, it's her birthday or but Fuller House was just released!
  • Are you breaking your fast without realizing it? Reaching for the ice cream or starting a gossipy conversation
  • Are you "cashing in" your Sundays early? 
  • Are you promising yourself, you'll do better tomorrow, only to not?
Lent is not intended to be easy, but it does not have to this big, grand gesture. God does not always work in the thunder and the lightening, oftentimes, God is the whispering wind. Just like when God tried to help Naaman, there was no big song or dance to it, Naaman was just told to go wash seven times in the Jordan. God was not asking for Naaman to do a lot, just to trust that God would help him (2 KGS 5:1-15). 

If you're taking onto too much, let a bit go, and keep some of the smaller pieces. Each little bit can help bring you and God closer together in time for the Easter to season to begin. All God wants is to become closer with you, and all you need to do this is to trust and allow God to guide you. So continue your fasting, you praying, and your alms-giving, but remember that God isn't looking for the grand gesture, God's looking for an act of trust. 

Tota tua, 

LeAnn 

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