Not sure what I'm talking about? Lent is a Christian tradition in which believers pray, fast, give, or sacrifice something for the 40 days before Easter. Lent officially begins Ash Wednesday, which is this week.
Why participate in Lent? It is a great way to prepare our hearts, minds, and bodies for the greatest day of the Christian calendar, Easter.
Lent is not about simply giving something up like a New Year's Resolution. Lent is about doing (or not doing) something that interrupts your daily life that will cause you to pray, remember what God has done, and grow closer to God.
Here are a few things that people have done (or not done) during Lent.
- Give up caffeine to remember that God is the source of all strength and energy.
- Give up walking on grass. Great for those that live on college campuses. When everyone else cuts through the grass, say a prayer while you're taking the long way.
- Give up complaining or negative comments.
- Give up television. Read the Bible or a daily devotional instead.
- Give up video games. Read the Bible or a daily devotional instead.
- Give up listening to music in the car. Take the time to have conversations with loved ones or with God.
- Read the Bible and/or pray every day.
- Write 40 encouraging notes to people who have made a difference in your life.
- Run or walk everyday. Less about physical exercise and more about time alone with God.
- Give something away everyday.
These are just a few ideas. You know what would work best in your life. What you do or don't do is not important. Participating in Lent will not make God love you more or less. Participating in Lent will develop your relationship with God as you catch a small glimpse of the sacrifice and giving God has done for you.
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