Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.  I grew up in a non-denominational church and we didn't observe the church calendar, but as an adult I have learned to love the tradition.  Taking a period of time to contemplate Christ's sacrifice and really focus on His beautiful redemptive plan makes Easter so much sweeter.

The fast is meant to be a physical reminder of what Christ suffered, if only in a very small way.  I'm fasting from dessert this season, and let me tell you, I love me some chocolate.  And ice cream.  So I will probably feel little pangs of withdrawal...or maybe big ones.  Forty days of no dessert is a long time!  But if each craving reminds me of my salvation then it is worth it.  (Someone remind me of that next week when all I can think about is sweets!)

Along with the fast I will be reading a selection of scriptures every day that are relevant for Lent.  My Bible app has a 46 day plan that I am following.  I have also ordered a devotional book but it has not arrived yet.  Here's the first scripture from today's reading.

“Even now,” declares the LORD,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:12-13

Ash Wednesday...a day late

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and I had a post planned, but work ended up being crazy and I stayed late, and then James whisked me off to dinner and I didn't have time to post.  So just pretend like it's still Wednesday, OK?

Growing up in a nondenominational church and then attending some Baptist churches in my adult years, I have never been very exposed to the church calendar.  In fact, I didn't even know about it until college when I read some books and met some people who were different than me. There are two seasons that more liturgical churches observe that I think are really neat, Advent and Lent. 
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a 46-day period leading up to Easter.  This is supposed to be a time where you repent of your sin and reflect on what Christ did through His death and resurrection.  A lot of people fast and give up something that they like during Lent.  The purpose is to prepare your heart for Easter.  Can you really fully experience the joy of salvation if you never feel the weight of your sin?  I think that is really neat and I'm kind of sad that my church tradition doesn't include this season.

So last year I decided to participate anyway, and gave up 30 minutes of sleep in the morning so that I could have a longer quiet time.  That may not sound like much, but I love my sleep!  So for me it was definitely a sacrifice.  But it was so worth it because I grew a lot in my faith during that time. 

This year, I couldn't figure out what to give up.  I had been mulling over a couple of options, when on Monday, it came to me. 

In light of everything I've been learning through Radical and the conviction I've been feeling about how much money we (I) spend on ourselves, I decided to give up shopping.  So I will not be buying any clothes, decorations for the house, books, or any other little things that I usually spend money on unnecessarily.  I will of course still shop for groceries and necessary items.

I think God gave the idea to me on Monday because he knew that if I had thought of it any sooner, I probably would have gone out that weekend and preemptively bought some clothes!  I've had my eye on a couple of things that will just have to wait for a while.

I think this will help me be disciplined by giving me a goal to work toward, and when I want to buy something and can't, maybe I will remember that Christ did not die on the cross so that I can live a life of luxury and selfishness.  Maybe I will remember to pray for those who are truly in need - for their situation, but also for their salvation so that they may experience the true joy that comes from a life in Christ.
Do you participate in Lent?