Lent has always been one of my favorite times of the year. Even as a child I thought it special that we would “give something up” in order to remember the sufferings of our Lord. Kids like ritual and the idea that I would not play with one of my favorite toys, or not drink chocolate milk, or not punch my brother - all for Jesus - was a big deal.
Over the years I have learned to combine giving up with “taking up,” adding something to my routine in order to open my heart and life to the Lord. While the fasting aspect of Lent has always challenged me, and revealed to me the weaknesses I work so hard to hide, it is the taking up that has allowed me to go places I never knew I would, or could, go.
This year I am taking up prayer walks around our community. There is a battle for the lives of our young people, and as we are making more evident our efforts to touch lives for love and grace, there is another force at work, and the activities on the other side are also becoming more obvious. I have no desire to be anonymous in this conflict, or, as someone once said, “I do not want to be a stealth enemy of Satan. I want him to see me on his radar screen.” I also like the words of the famous American Revolutionary War naval commander, John Paul Jones: “I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.” This year for Lent, I intend to go in harm’s way, and prayer is my fast ship.
Where will this season take you?
Mike, great post.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to "normal" stuff, I'm taking up reading the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7 daily. It's amazing how every time I've read it up to this point, I leave thinking, "Dang! Is he for real?!" So I want to read it more often to see if it might translate more into my life.
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