Jesus doesn't want you to give up Facebook for Lent. Or meat. Or sugar. Lent isn't mentioned in the Bible. So if you break it down it's just another man-made holiday.
Yup, I just compared the thing that's depriving you if your morning donut to Groundhogs Day.
 |
| Image courtesy of smarnad / FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
I don't do Lent.
If Jesus never implored me to do it, and it opens the door for me to explain why I don't to others- even more reason to skip it.
The premise of Lent is that we should want to give up something we enjoy, in order to suffer like Jesus did up to Easter. Some people might give up sugar, but not just because they want to suffer, but because it's convenient. They might use that time to complete their sugar detox program they've meaning to start.... since January. Perfect timing.
Want to do something? Read your Bible daily. Or talk with him daily (those are mentioned a Lot). Or change the name of whatever challenge your doing from Lent (which implies that Jesus requested it) to your "2014 Facebook Fast".
---------
Want to know what challenge I did start over the Lenten season? Weight loss.
Yup, I've stalled and haven't lost anymore weight since the end of February, which means that it's time to get outside and get active. I've joined a group on Spark pages that calls itself the "Easter Challenge". You basically log your weight every Sunday to keep you motivated.
And even though the name makes me laugh, I don't even say it's for Lent. Sure, Jesus wants me healthier, but this challenge is for me.
I really like your ideas here about lent! I have sometimes given things up for lent when I was younger but not really. Like I say I will and then I really don't. Anyways- great post! I know some people will probably disagree with you but I agree!!!
ReplyDeleteFew years ago I "took up" sleeping 8 hours a night. For Lent. Because Jesus was really well rested up to his resurrection? ... that was the last Lent I did.
DeleteIt's fine if people don't agree, but I know that someone can benefit from another viewpoint so I feel I should share it :)
I'm right there with you, and I think you state your case very well!
ReplyDeleteGreat- thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI really like your ideas too. You bring up a lot of fair points!
ReplyDeletenatalie @ findingmyownvoice7.blogspot.com
Thanks!
DeleteI agree! I have done a "media fast" for Lent before but not because I thought I had to or wanted to know what suffering was like. You're not suffering like Jesus when you don't go on Facebook for a few weeks. I think we need to start focusing on what Jesus actually did do and told us to do instead of telling each other that we're not being "good Christians" by not giving something up for Lent. I use this time to try to be more reflective and actually notice God in the day to day things. Great post!
ReplyDelete-Chelsea
chelsandthecity.blogspot.com
This reply just made my day. Was a little hesitant about posting this on the thread along with style and craft-type posts, but glad it encouraged someone!
DeleteI used to give things up for Lent when I was younger. I don't do it anymore and I agree with all of your points! I never followed through with what I gave up anyway!
ReplyDelete