Lent

For several years I have observed (or tried to, anyway) the season of Lent, which I found pretty nicely summarized here .
What pulls on my heart about this season in the church are summed up in the words sacrifice and preparation. The 40 days of Lent (not counting Sundays) parallel Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness when he sacrificed the comforts of this world to commune with his heavenly Father. Not only that. He went on to sacrifice his pride, his fears, his very life on our behalf. And so it seems appropriate during this time, as I reflect on these things that my Savior did for me, to also sacrifice. In choosing this sacrificial act that lasts the allotted 40 days, I always try to choose something that I feel takes my focus off of God. A misplaced affection. An idol, if you will. I've done everything from television to soda. Lately I feel that technology sucks up a lot of time when I could be sitting at the feet of my Heavenly Father, listening to and learning from Him. Rather than carving out time for Him I still fall into the habit of carving out time for my Facebook friends. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with our technological conveniences. I just know that we make time for what's important in our lives, and I still see moments in my day that could be better devoted to my Lord that I instead give away to the internet. This goes for my family too. I'd like to spend more quality time with them both in recreation and devotion.

And so I announce my fast from my computer. In a limited sense. Hear me out. I don't believe that a complete and total break from technology is going to guide my heart in the right way. I think that would actual turn out to be a bigger distraction. Rather, I am setting limits on that time, allotting only a given time each day in which to check email, respond on Facebook, etc. You get the gist. Rather than giving Jesus my leftover moments I am now going to give those to you. Sorry. I will not be at the beck and call of my inbox nor status updates nor that tidbit about my family that I just have to blog about. I'll still be checking in on all these things, mind you, but on a far more limited basis. So don't think I'm ignoring you. I'm just a little more delayed. Preparing myself for the great celebration that is Easter by pulling away from the trappings of this world, as Jesus did in the wilderness. Turning my focus on the true reason for living rather than the one I've created.

So....a blessed Lenten season to you. I'll be seeing you sometime in the next 40 days. Or not.