My Approach to Lent

This week has been the most unusual. We had a death in the family so we buried our relative on the first day. I successfully fought a virus (thank you Jesus) and still managed to get my work done (double thank you Jesus). One constant thing was God's presence and amazing love for me through it all. 

My friend sent me this blog post and I was in love with this quote: 

I am fascinated with the character of God. I'm a worship leader, so I sing often. I actually have been singing as early as I can remember. One day I'll tell you exactly how I started singing at church -- pretty interesting stuff. When you're in an environment where you're constantly encouraging people to sing unto the Lord you may get lost between our concept of what God wants and what He is really after. This is exactly why I am choosing to keep my nose in the Bible. In order to know God's ways I need to know His precious Words of Life.

During this season of Lent I am choosing to slow down on purpose. I know that God is after my very life so I have decided to offer that to Him. Slowing down for me means turning my attention to God not only during my time with Him (I often "tweet with God" if you haven't heard) but also during my own time. So how can I turn to God during my own time? I am choosing to turn down other distractions and focus on Him. For example, instead of watching my favorite TV shows, I am choosing to read Bible passages that tells me what happens 40 days before Jesus died on the cross to save me. Instead of listening to my favorite Podcasts, I am listening to the Gospels on my Audio Bible so that Jesus' voice is louder in my mind than any other voices. I also believe that this will give him access and influence in my life. You'll be shocked at this but I have stopped dieting. I am fasting during this season but the difference is, dieting changes the way I look while fasting changes the way I see (more details on fasting in this Lisa Bevere Podcast).

My aim is not to miss Jesus when He draws near to me during the most ordinary moments in my life. Luke 12:13-35 tells us the story of two disciples who did not recognized Jesus during a 7-mile walk. They did love His presence so much they invited Him to stay for supper. After they recognized Him and He vanished from their sight, they told each other, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked to us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" My prayer, this Lent season is that I will be sensitive to Jesus' presence. My heart is that He will have more than my songs for He is after my life.

I want to encourage you to look at your life and decide to make room for Jesus. Don't wait to be inspired during Easter Sunday. He can do something amazing with you and I when we open our lives to experience Him now.

Resources:
• There are a few Lent devotionals on the YouVersion App. I'm reading the one that offers a Chronological Bible Reading for 40 days.