I am stumbling into Lent.
I’m not stumbling into Lent because I made the most of Mardi Gras and woke up hungover on Ash Wednesday. I’m stumbling into Lent because it took some time to figure out how I wanted to use this season to better connect with God.
I don’t think that Lent is about giving something up just for the sake of giving something up. I enjoy drinking coffee every morning but I don’t think that giving it up would help me better connect with God. Lent is about preparing our hearts, minds and souls for the celebration of Easter; we should give up something or add something to our lives so that we can better connect with God.
Earlier this week I went on a bit of a worship music buying binge. I bought new albums from North Point, Kari Jobe and Chris Tomlin. I started listening to these albums instead of podcasts while I was driving. I did that for a few days and realized that I had worship lyrics running through my head throughout my day. Instead of thinking about sports statistics or the news of the day, I was praising God.
I stumbled upon this practice; it hadn’t been my intention to give up podcasts and start listening to worship music. At this point, though, I have made it my Lenten commitment: while I’m driving I am going to listen to worship music instead of podcasts.
I don’t have a lengthy commute to work and I don’t spend that much time driving. It’s amazing, though, how that small amount of time filled with worship music can impact my day. Like I said, my mind is constantly filled with the lyrics and I often find myself quietly singing the songs.
I am happy that I stumbled into Lent. Not because I didn’t want to give something up, but because I found something that has actually helped me to connect with God and better prepare for Easter.
What have you given up or added to your life for Lent?
Rev. Robert Acker
Senior Pastor
909.945.5001 x255
findcommunity.com