I'm a member of the Baptist denomination. I've been a Baptist since 9 months before I was born. I probably understood what a Baptist is before I understood what a Christian is. As a college kid, I never thought I'd continue going to a Baptist church in my adult years. But here I am.
A Baptist.
All that being said, it would come as no surprise to you that I have never truly observed the Lenten season for the 40 days before Easter.
Although I must admit that I recognized my fair share of Mardi Gras in my college years.
If you didn't know, my unspoken motto during my college years was "There's a time and a place for everything and it's called college."
But I digress.
Since those reckless college days, I have learned what Lent is actually all about and in turn find the observance of Mardi Gras a little ridiculous.
I have found a lot of value in recent years in the discipline of fasting. While I don't typically fast from food for an entire day, it is not uncommon for me to fast during lunch if there is something specific I am seeking the Lord's wisdom, direction or revelation about. So the idea of binging the day before a fast that is supposed to help us understand the sacrifice Jesus made for us and bring us into closer communion with Him really just sounds ridiculous to me any more.
But again, I digress.
Last year I had a dear bloggy friend who took a complete blog, Facebook and Twitter hiatus during Lent. It really convicted me at the time and I have since tried to tone down the time I spend with such things; which consequently may be why you haven't seen me around here as much.
Over the last week, as I have seen the season of Lent approaching, I had a tugging at my heart to give up something similar. To replace that time in my day with meditation on and service to my Lord.
So yesterday, I tweeted these tweets...
(As a point of clarification, I did, in fact, post on both Facebook and Twitter at some point that I was seriously considering giving up diet and exercise for Lent. I know... I'm so funny... ha ha ha!)
So there you have it. I have given up Twitter for the Lenten season and you won't see me out there until after Easter (I guess unless my Facebook page updates over there also I suppose). I will still be around on the Blog and on Facebook some.
So. It's Lent.
Do you observe Lent? What are you giving up this year?
6 Comments:
In the month of January, the majority of our church participated in a "Daniel Fast" for 21 days. I also fasted Facebook. I think I missed Facebook more than the food. LOL
It was an amazing time with the Lord and I know some bondages were broken off my life because of it. Neither food nor Facebook has the pull on me that they did before.
Expect great things from your extra time with the Lord, He doesn't dissapoint.
As a Christian i was never taught to observe lent with sacrifice but sometime in my late 20's i just really felt convicted. i think it's because i have such an addictive personality. Like you, I felt convicted to explore a sacrifice along the social networking lines, and thus gave up facebook... it's been hard. As a homeschooling mom of an emotionally special needs child, it was sometimes my "outlet" and place for "connection." I think over these weeks, I will learn that is what the Lord is for... i hope.
I miss you already, but am in complete admiration of your conviction!
XOXOXOXOXOXOX
Becky - I've heard of the Daniel Fast & I admire those who do it. Glad to hear that you are experiencing the blessing from it.
Misty - I look forward to how the Lord is going to bless your time.
And sweet Becky Jo - <3 you, girl!!
Donna...I think this is great! What a sacrifice! I do like the idea of giving up dieting and exercise, though. I wish I would have thought of that before Wednesday. :)
I have also bounced all over and am 'still' Baptist.. and I've never observed Lent. I totally agree with you on the Mardi Gras thing too. : )
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