Greatest man in history, named Jesus. Had no servants, yet they called Him Master. Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime.. Yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
-unknown
#hisnameisJesus
The Lenten season is often times associated with giving something up. As I mentioned in another blog, I’m seeing decluttering as a focus for me this season – LESS stuff, MORE of the things of God, space, time, etc. Some people try to give things up in their own strength without being truly filled up with Jesus – I pray that my heart is in the correct place.
A friend from our small group shared with us The Lent Project, which provides daily Lent devotions during this season. The opening video is particularly good:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuVsEM5lD_o
I am a Certified Public Accountant, and this is my ‘busy season’, where I prepare tax returns. I would normally be inclined to work on the weekends to get ahead, but as I reflect on Lent, I was convicted that I needed to give up working on the weekends, even during tax time – especially because it’s the Lent season, but I need to spend the time with my husband, my kids (all of us as a family), and at church. We need margin in our lives. I have a standard line, especially to new clients: “I normally don’t work on the weekends, but I got your message, and I’ll get back to you this coming week.”
Maybe you don’t have a busy season at work (at this time of the year), but I hope you see the point here. I can’t help blogging about Lent as there’s so much to the season. Whatever is going on – I (or you) am not the solution to problems, ultimately God is. God is more interested in character than accomplishments and talent.
For six years now I have attended a church where we have Lenten services every Wednesday night from Ash Wednesday to Easter – remembering Jesus’ time in the wilderness, leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. I didn’t grow up in a church that had an official Lent period, and I’m enjoying the season.
Of course most people know about Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter – those holidays are pretty standard, but everyone ‘celebrates’ the Lenten weeks in between differently. I’m trying to look at Lent as a celebration – and I’m impacted by how it goes so well with my blog’s theme: have LESS to have MORE.
I ran into an article about the 40 Bags in 40 Days Decluttering Challenge, and it made me think that decluttering could be what I do for Lent. I’m not filling 40 bags but I’m definitely trying to give up clutter – it’s an ongoing challenge. Recently I gave away clothing, toys, and MY FILING CABINET (I currently don’t have any filing cabinets in the house)!!
No matter what you believe about God, I think you get what I’m saying – LESS of something means MORE of something else. And if you feel like you want to know God MORE, please don’t hesitate to ask me – or better yet, check out the Bible (here’s the app I read – there are great devotionals too).
Have Less to Have More 