It struck me the other day that Lent is fast approaching, and I haven't given any thought as to what I'm going to give up. Funny how it sneaks up on you like that! For those of you that have been following my rather random & rambling writings for awhile, you know that Lent is definitely not a tradition that I grew up with. In fact, I've only been partaking in this time of fasting for the past two years. Through these experiences, I've come to realize that I do not fast properly. I use Lent as a means of testing my self-control and discipline, not as a way to learn to rely on God more. I've also used it as a way to kick-start each failed attempt to eat healthier & get down to a weight I was happy with. Seeing as I've lost 11 pounds since October (my first successful weight loss attempt - I'm thrilled!), this is no longer a motivation for me.
But the question remains, what am I going to do for Lent? I think what I want to see happen is a true heart-change. And in order to see that happen, I think I am inclined to not remove anything from my life. Rather I am going to add something: meditation. There is an exercise that I found in a book I read last semester (Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson), that describes meditating on being known by God. This is where I want to start - practicing being known by my Creator, and learning to know Him more.
What if we used Lent to focus not on depriving ourselves of yummy foods and enjoyable activities, but on feasting on the love of God and the Word He has given us?
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