These three words have started having a really new and powerful meaning to me.
Because of who my God is, not only do I have the ability to give up anything and everything to Him, He encourages us to because he understands our situations and knows that we cannot take them on alone, we aren’t strong enough.
Pride.
Bitterness.
Anger.
Worry.
Uncertainty.
Success.
Failure.
Finances.
Fear.
Fruity Pebbles.
Whatever you are willing to surrender.
Today is Ash Wednesday – the beginning of Lent for Western Christianity. This day marks the beginning of a beautiful season where many people give something up to deny themselves, take something on to become more in tune with God, and give time/money/energy/support/a smile to help their neighbor.
This 40 day period leads up to Easter, the day Jesus defeated death and is reminiscent of the 40 days that He spent in the desert being tempted by the devil.
I have been praying about what I could give up that would really make an impact on my life and realized I have become heavily reliant on two things over the past couple of weeks: cereal and tea.
I have a bowl of fruity pebbles or cookie crisp just about every night before I go to bed.
I have a cup of tea when I wake up, a cup during my Bible study, a cup before lunch, an afternoon canteen, and an evening cup. I love this stuff.
I don’t have to give anything up, but I feel like by giving up cereal and drinking ONLY water for the next 40 days, I will become closer to my God because now every time I feel like a bowl of cereal or a hot tea (or diet dp or glass of wine or cup of milk) – I will have to rely on Jesus instead – I am so excited.
I will probably have headaches and withdrawals (think that’s the first sign I need to cut back?), but the closeness I will feel and experience is going to outweigh any temporary headaches.
I am so excited about this “preparation period” for a celebration of the greatest day in history (or is that His birth? I don’t know for sure, but both are mind altering-we are saved!), and am hoping that giving up cereal and all liquids except for water will result in me taking on more prayer and meditation time with God resulting in abnormal acts of kindness to my neighbor.
Are you giving anything up this season?
This season marks the beginning of many people’s giving up of earthly things for 40 days, but our God asks for us to submit to Him ANYthing forEVER by prayer and with thanksgiving… what are you giving up for life?
What do you want to give up for life, but just can’t right now? What is holding you back?
ltlo
desserts, its always desserts, its what i crave and to have to replace it with JESUS, and to think of Him on the cross and taking the beating i so desrved, well its more than humbling. Now the real good news….SUNDAY! I cheat on sundays i gorge, i can never be like Jesus, i will strive to be more and more, i know he didnt cheat.
Wow! It has really dawned on me the last four months as financial times have gotten tight what an impact money has on our lives. I am reading a ton of a scripture on doing good work and workmanship (thanks pastor pete) and then allowing my good work to provide me with the mortgage payment and bills and just truly, truly relying on God to provide!!!!! What can I do for the next 40 days to conquer this fear and show God that I am truly committed which will hopefully lead into my life goal:)
sorry crew – I revised the post because I am only drinking water, not just giving up tea, but giving up all liquids other than water.
@clay – chocolate covered almonds are a sweet that can be consumed as a dessert, depending on your mood I agree they can either be: necessary fiber or other.
@jlo – wow. awesome. i don’t know much, but i do know that “your money is where your heart is”; see what you are spending the most money on and go from there. i’m here to support in any way possible, i’m praying for you daily big cat.
I am giving up sweets because I have a huge sweet tooth. Last year, I gave up worrying. Next year, I am going to give up worrying about sweets.
I can never give up enough to be deserving of what Jesus gave up for us, but by taking away something I really like will help me focus more on His great love for us. His blessings sure are sweet!
i’m giving up chiken
hahaha
@gracie good luck bug eyes, maybe next year if you want to go SUPER extreme you should try giving up hugging
@rhonda – i love the idea of giving up something not physical … very cool-very difficult … i admire that