Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday which starts another season of Lent. Lent is supposed to be a time of sacrifice for Jesus. It is a time to prepare ourselves, which includes repentance, prayer, and self-denial, for 40 days before Easter.
The first time I heard about lent was probably 9 years ago. I decided to fast from sweets and it ended up being easier than I thought since I have a big sweet tooth. I didn't spend any extra time reading my Bible, praying or any spiritual exercise. I just thought it would be a good thing to cut out of my life for a while. I didn't really get what Lent is about that year.
So, for the last year two years,I have fasted from somthing and replaced it with time with God. Last year, I fasted from media in the morning to start my day by spending it with God instead.
This year I have decided again to fast from a type of media. Media seems to be a theme for me because I find it relaxing and distracting. It doesn't take much thought or brain power. Since last year, I have continued to keep the t.v. off, for the most part, during the day (except for Matlock, my one indulgence) and then watch it in the evening. Hopefully this years fast will help me to cut down on how much time I spend on this media.
FACEBOOK
That is my vice. I am constantly checking status updates, checking out profiles, looking at pictures and playing games on facebook (which takes up more time than I would like to admit). Don't get me wrong, I don't think that there is anything wrong with that. But I don't even want to count up the time I spend doing it compared to the time I spend with God or other more important things. To me, it has become too high of a priority and so I'm taking a break. I still plan on checking my messages once a week or the notifications that come to my email. (Since lent begins 46 days before Easter, there is one day a week for cheating)
ok, you are the third person to write about lent, and giving up media for lent! I think I'm being called to do the same with Facebook, because that's the thing I cringe the most at giving up. I didn't know the thing about once per week/sunday cheating, but someone else wrote about it too.
ReplyDeleteI too have forgotten the real reason behind lent and just gave up a vice for that sake alone, I'm thiking of implimenting a new, good, spiritual habit as well during lent, just not sure what that is yet!