Though I’m sure it is not random at all, it seems random to me that my first day blogging here at the new site is also the first day of Lent. I was complaining to my dear friend Jordana this morning about my complete lack of self-control re: food when she said, “hhhrrrmm, it is the first day of Lent, you know”. I told her that I’m not really one for giving up something. I like the thought more of going deeper.
Deeper with my faith. Deeper in my walk with Jesus. Deeper in my life in general.
I get so stuck sometimes in the rut that is this life. I forget about Jesus 98% of my day. I forget that I am called to more 6.75 days out of the week. I forget that my life isn’t about me.
I want more, but so, so often I fail to make the time to really go deeper.
So that’s what I want to do for Lent this year. I want to give Jesus more of my time. Listen to Him more. See Him more. Talk to Him more. And in the process, I want to leak more of His goodness out on the folks in my world.
Sweet Jordana just so happened to send me a Lenten devotional this year that a friend from college has contributed to. It’s a gorgeous little book with 8 weeks of journaling to look forward to. Today’s entry really struck a cord with me considering my desire to “go deeper. It’s just the reminder I needed as I take the plunge into going deeper.
“True spiritual fruit starts with self-denial, because self can’t produce anything of spiritual value. Only the Spirit can do that.” ~ Christine Hoover
I mean. <selah>
That whole self-denial thing is H.A.R.D. Ya’ll that means I might actually have to deal with some of my issues. I might actually have to let go of the Reese’s Valentine’s Hearts. Let go of that anger or resentment I’ve been “dealing” with. Let go of my time and my money and my peoples. I might have to just trust.
Trust that God has is working it all out to the glory of His kingdom and for my benefit. Trust that He has got it all under control and that I don’t have to. Trust that He will fight my battles for me. Trust that if I just shut up, let go and let Him that things will all work out ok.
So let’s revisit that line I gave Jordi on the phone this morning. . . I’m not really one for giving something up.
Oh, right. About that.
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P.S. a friend of Jordana’s actually posted this on her wall this morning. . .
YEAST! <i snorted>
just lindsey 