It's that time of the year again. Time for Lent. A time for us to participate, even in small ways, in the death of Christ as we anticipate celebrating together his resurrection come Easter. It is an opportunity to give something up, not just for the sake of giving it up but to surrender a part of self in order to be more intentionally filled by God. The idea is that we surrender something of meaning and use that space to be more open to God at work in us. It is an experience for us in going deeper into the heart and life of loving God and loving others.
I've surrendered different things over the last several years I've participated in the Lenten season...things like caffeine, various foods, and the snooze button on my alarm clock. Those are small, simple things but they provide an opportunity for me to be reminded that my life is LESS about self and MORE about God.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (April 17) and continues for 44 days leading up to Easter. Traditionally participants enjoy whatever they have given up each Sunday throughout the 44 days as a reminder of coming together as God's people to celebrate the resurrection.
I invite you to participate. And be creative. There are plenty of unique and wonderful ways to surrender a part of ourselves to God during this time of year. If you have already decided on your own, maybe you would like to share with the rest of us?
May God bless you during this time as you die to self, and rest in him...
--Mike
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