Lent in 2017 begins on Wednesday, March 1 and ends on Thursday, April 13
Today we are starting the season of Lent. Lent is a season for ‘giving up’ something. Have you ever considered what for?
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:1-4 Source
I was wondering what to give up and what to embrace during the season of Lent. During Lent, most people give up something they particularly like but consider it ‘bad’ with some reason. The time of Lent is not particularly about making us crave something that we deny ourselves to have. This is the time is to let go of something that does not serve us anymore and to embrace something that does.
As we read into the lines saying “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”, we can see that Jesus is letting go of the material food and embracing the spiritual one.
So, what is it going to be for you? Can you think of a habit of yours that does not seem to do much good to your life any more? Without judging it, just observe its workings and decide to release it with loving thoughts. What is it going to be? As we free up space in our life God immediately fills it up with something new. So, what would you like it to be? What would you like to embrace in place of the one you are letting go of?
Recently, I have noticed my exceeding OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Personally, I think it is an anxiety driven perfectionism that, occasionally, makes my life hell. I have been investigating the background of my obsession with cleanness and order and have found that when one feels life being chaotic, overwhelming and unmanageable one tends to be overly organized so to seemingly regain some sense of control over life.
I have decided to use the season of Lent to kindly release my OCD – need for control – and embrace my deeply feared inner chaos. I pray for God to support me in my efforts to relax into ‘chaos’ that is a major part of human existence and to learn and experience that one can be safe in the mists of complete disorder and confusion.
So, what are YOU giving up and what are YOU embracing during this season of Lent?
Remember to use your Church’s support in your efforts of giving up something that does not serve you anymore. Take advantage of the loving community around you in order to strengthen you.
God Bless you all,
