Today marks the first day of Lent so why not write about it 
To be honest, in the past I have always thought Lent was just a tradition that the Catholic Church followed, leading up to Easter and people gave up something for 40 days and didn’t eat meat on Fridays except fish. I knew people would go to church on Wednesday to get ashes on their forehead to mark the start of it but I didn’t know the symbolism behind it.
I had the concept that people gave up something they consumed or took part in everyday and tried to go without it for the 40 days until Easter but I never knew what for and never really asked either. Even without knowing, I would give up, or try to give up, something that was more for selfish reasons like chocolate or “junk food” which was really just motivation for me to eat healthy and be on a diet.
I realized that Lent for me in the past wasn’t about Jesus at all. It was just a time for me to give up something that would benefit just me on a worldly standpoint.
Over the past year or so I have been more curious especially since I seen my friends and church practice Lent who were not Catholic. At this point I realized it wasn’t just a Catholic Church tradition and that it is about our relationship with Jesus.
The observance of Lent is such a beautiful period of time where many many people practice it but many people do not know why. Below is my personal overview of what I have learned so far about Lent and thought some of you might find it interesting.
-Lent=Prayer, Fasting, Giving
-Ashes-reminder of our own sinfulness, showing sorrow for our sins, repenting in dust and ashes
-The forehead is marked with the cross of ashes for a visible sign to establish and confirm this inner truth
Genesis 3:19-“For Dust you are and to dust you will return” (after Adam and Eve ate from the tree and first sinned)
“I will take those ashes and turn them in to the most beautiful crown you’ve ever seen.” –Isaiah 61:3
-Season of penitence and repenting (action of feeling or showing sorry and regret for having done wrong or sinned)
-Self-examination and reflection
-Recommitting our lives to God and turn aware from distractions, bad habits and sins
-Committing to move closer to God
-40 days is parallel to 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan.
Matthew 4:10- Jesus said to Satan, “Get away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
Recently I let too many distractions and excuses lead me further away from Jesus.
So…
Some things I will be focusing on during this time of Lent are:
-Wake up an hour earlier and spend 1 hour of non-interrupted time with God (worship, prayer, journaling, reading)
-No Netflix before bed (I watch Friends at night before bed to tune out my stress and bring me peace without turning to God first)
-Get rid of social media notifications so I am not constantly checking them.
-God Time Before World Time
Have you ever thought about Lent or even why people are celebrating it?
Questions to think about…
What has come between you and God over the years, this past year, or even recently?
What do you need to change or give up or even add into your life in order to give Him your focus?
-If you do not believe in Jesus or do not have a close relationship with Him…think about the distractions in your life that are over consuming you. That you obsess over. The worldly things that you don’t think you could live without. The things that are taking away time that you could be focusing on your personal growth or dedication towards something that makes you a better person.-
Psalms 51:10-12 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit fro me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”
I am looking forward to this time of Lent to refocus and remain close to Jesus, to not let business, laziness, or time distract me from Him or my commitment to my faith.
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Thank you for reading my blog, for supporting me and for being an encouragement throughout this journey.
God Bless You!!
Yours Truly,
Kristen
Comment below with any thoughts, more insight on Lent, what you are doing during this time etc.
Recommended Song to listen to: Forever by Kari Jobe
If feeling led, along with the donate button on this page, check out the many other ways to financially support me through this journey via social media or by contacting me via email or phone. There are fundraisers currently going on now and some planned for the future. You don’t want to miss out on the fun events. I would also love to meet in person with any of you who would love to hear more about my story and how things are going in preparation to leave for The World Race.
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