Today is Ash Wednesday. For many, today is the beginning of the Lenten season. Most people usually give up certain things for Lent in order to get closer to God. I have noticed, however, that giving up things for Lent seem to be more about letting people know what you are sacrificing rather than gaining a closer relationship with God. I have participated one time. That was back when I was in law school. I gave up drinking. I knew it was something that I needed to do because I was becoming a binge drinker (law school will do that to you). Those 40 days turned into 6 months. The first 10 days were hard, but after a while I felt that I didn't need to drink. It was only after 6 months that my roommate fussed, "Girl, it ain't Lent no more!! Take this shot!!" I had totally forgotten that I could because I didn't need to. Now I partake in a lovely evening glass of wine, but I can't even get drunk anymore.
This year, I am going to take a totally different approach to Lent. This 40 days is going to be about getting closer to God through prayer and study. I have a copy of The Purpose Driven Life and the companion journal. I have started and stopped on this book many times throughout the past 5 years!! I don't know what kept holding me back from it. The farthest I have ever gotten was Day 3. Today I sat and started completely over....determined to see it through. The first lesson of the day was that it all begins with God. The purpose of my life comes from God and not through me. This is the first step....because I am a control freak. Letting go and letting God is hard, but I am learning. God usually prepares people for big things in 40 days....at the end of this book (40 days!) I wonder where my mind will be.
