Ash Wednesday is approaching, and I find myself in excited anticipation for this season of Lent. I deeply value times set aside for reflection, discipline, and growth and that is what I have found this season to be.
It is a time of preparation leading up to Easter when we have the opportunity to stop and re-evaluate where we are, and focus intentionally on how we would like to change. Specifically, fasting from those things in our lives that hold us back from growing in our relationship with God.
Through reflection over the past few weeks, I have decided to fast from TV shows and other things in my life that serve as distractions. I've become more cognizant of the fact that when I am exhausted after work or have had a rough day, I tend towards escapism - which often manifests itself in watching an episode of a TV show online. I justify this to myself, saying that "I just need to forget about life right now" or "I just need to do something mindless for awhile". But really I am shutting down and trying to escape from my reality, which I don't think is a healthy response. So during Lent this year I am going to be intentional about processing through what is going on rather than gravitating towards entertainment.
But Lent is about adding more than subtracting, and so as I remove time spent "escaping" I will be focused on replacing that with time spent engaging with God and growing in Him. Dedicating daily time to prayer, reading, and meditation has always been hard for me, but I am excited for this opportunity to make a renewed effort. I am a person who likes structure, so I have made some "well-planned steps" (as Henri Nowen puts it) as a way to create discipline. Although ideally we should "pray without ceasing", realistically I've identified several key times during the day when I can pause and focus on God. I am excited about following the Lenten readings...I've come to value the words and litanies of others more as of late, and eager to learn from them.
So these are my hopes for this season...what are yours? My prayer is that God will guide us in drawing closer to Him, and being molded into the people He desires us to be.
1 comment:
This is very inspiring dear!
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