From Now until Easter...

I have always heard the word "lent" and never thought much of it. I heard it was a time of fasting for Catholics, and honestly, that is about it.


Until today: I got the urge to Google "Lent" and even "Lent for Baptists" (because I grew up Baptist and my home church is Baptist).


I came across some very interesting information...very convicting...very stimulating...very challenging!


My first question was, what exactly is Lent?
Lent is a Christian Festival. In the past it was a long, strict religious fast when people gave up all rich food. Lent is the time when Christians prepare for the greatest of the Christian festivals known as Easter, by thinking of things they have done wrong. It was a time for spring-cleaning lives, as well as homes.

I like that thought: SPRING-CLEANING LIVES 


Lent began this year on February 22nd, which was Ash Wednesday and it will end on Easter, April 8th. Lent lasts 40 days, excluding Sundays. 40 days; like Jesus spent in the desert, fasting! 


EthicsDaily is where I was led to in regards to Baptists and Lent. 
On this particular website the author of this post says lent for a Baptist can be "the spiritual practice of intentionally dedicating a period of time for giving up something in their life as a form of Christian discipleship." 


GIVING UP SOMETHING= A FORM OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
He also goes on to say "grace is best experienced when we purposefully take away something. It brings integrity to our witness, freedom to our service and identification with the less fortunate. We need a spirituality of subtraction challenging us to be less encumbered and burdened in our calling to follow Jesus."


I pray that this season of Lent is a blessing to many---that unbelievers will have a chance to see humility and integrity in Christians when they submit to whatever it is God is calling them to do in this season. 
Also, that Christians would not just obey God during Lent, but that they would seek Him daily for His perfect will in their lives throughout the year. 
I am praying for myself in this season; that I would listen intently to whatever God calls me to do, or not to do. I want to be a faithful and obedient daughter of the King, who trusts Him fully. 


Whatever He has in store for me to add to my life, or subtract from it, I want to willingly do as He commands. So thankful He has given me a thirst for knowledge, that I would seek out answers to questions so basic like, "what is lent?"...He works in such amazing ways through seemingly small things...

Father, thank You for grace and mercy, abounding love and forgiveness...My life is for You, and I pray that whatever You ask of me, I will humble myself and submit to Your command and will. I love You too Jesus.