#Lent2015

Growing up at Southwood Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, I have always known about Lent and, moreover, enjoyed it. Considering today is Ash Wednesday, I thought it opportune to talk about Lent and what it means in today’s world and how you can actively participate this year. I currently live in Barcelona, Spain and recently as we approached the start of Lent, my small group gals and I discussed the topic, where it originates from in the Bible and how to best take part in this annual occasion.

Tuesday mornings w/ the gals at Skye Coffee Co.!

Here’s the deal, Lent is about giving up something for the 40 days following Ash Wednesday up until Easter. Hence, the act of giving something up involves temptation. Just as the serpent in Genesis 1 tempted Adam and Eve, so are we today tempted by any given number of things each and everyday.

I don’t know about you, but I am tempted by many things – procrastination, sweets of any kind, and comparison – just to name a few. This year for Lent, I am choosing to give up two things (adding sugar to my coffee & drinking pop), and making two other commitments (floss at least once daily & add something to my blog daily). For me personally holding myself accountable to these resolutions will surely prove difficult at times. But those are exactly the times at which you are adding opportunities into your daily life to lean on the Lord, pushing yourself to depend on prayer for that extra self-control.

Some of my friends are also doing these things: reading the Bible daily, cutting out all refined sugars, spending time with people who need a friend, working out daily, etc. Whatever you think is going to better your life and help you get closer to God, do that! Use this time of the year to refocus energies on keeping God at the forefront of your mind and leaning on Him when holding yourself accountable gets hard. You, and all those around you, will be more successful if you go into Lent truly committed.