If you've been following this blog since the beginning, some of this might be a bit familiar to you, but I trust you will still find something new to enjoy--at least, I hope that's the case.
So, here we are again in the season of Lent. Yesterday my news feed was filled with pictures of ashes and/or posts of what people are giving up for the next 40 days. From several people I saw an article titled something along the lines of 'things to give up other than diet coke'.
I didn't read the article.
I'm not giving anything up for Lent.
Instead, I'm picking up and I invite you to do the same.
The season of Lent, in my perspective, is a season in which we are meant to seek out the pieces of broken connection to God and repair them, to draw closer to God despite our humanness. To me, the laying down needs to be centered on releasing that which prevents us from living fully connected to God and often what is given up doesn't have much to do with that.
So, instead, I propose picking up.
Talk to God and figure out where you are disconnected, then pick up the thing(s) that will allow you to repair it.
My focus word for this year is 'believe'. I make it too complicated, I analyze, I look for reasoning and try to apologize logic; but, simply believing? That is not my strength. I have too many questions--mostly 'why'--and too many doubts to just believe. The evidence surrounds me and yet simple, basic belief often escapes.
The road to the cross is paved with sin and what is sin if not our own turning away from God? Jesus died to give us a permanent connection and yet, because we do not yet experience the fullness of it, we find ways off away from that permanent connection. In this season of Lent, it is my hope to find my way back and my hope that you'll be able to do the same.