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"The thistle is a prickly flower, aye, but how it is sweetly worn."

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Lent, Reformed


There's something that has been on my mind today, and that is Lent.  Being a reformed evangelical, it's definitely not something that I really hear much of actually at church.  I've never felt a compulsion to do it, because technically Lent in its modern practice, is not specifically indicated in the Bible.  (meaning it's more a tradition...)  However, I do know that fasting is.

I've never really fasted, simply because health wise, it doesn't work for me.  But, I have given up things over time and seen great results (post on that for another day).  Today though, I've been mulling the idea of participating in Lent.  Not so I can give anything up or try to conquer a bad habit, but because "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead" ~ Phillipiams 3:10-11. 

 I want to know Christ deeper, focus on Him more intently.  I already have a set time where I read through my Bible, and pray.  But for the next 40 days, I'm going to give up some extra time I'd normally spend online perusing through blogs.  And I am going to seek to know Christ.  Better.  I want to know the POWER of his resurrection.  I mean how often do I really try to know and reflect on the power of it all.  The reality that I am terribly unrighteous.  The reality of how grace called me from the pit.  The reality of all that I have been saved from and saved to.  

Giving up more of my precious little time is scary and daunting.  But oh the glorious thought of arriving at the end of 40 days knowing Christ increasingly more intimate, increasingly more gloriously.  I want to know Christ.

And with that thought, I'm going to seek him, and seek with him with all I've got this season.


As God would have it, this was my latest art journal.  The prompts right now for February have to do with the secret garden of your heart.  I always take their prompts and make it more Bible based.  And I love the idea of God cultivating the garden of my heart, the idea of Him walking with me there just as He walked intimately with Adam and Eve.  It's amazing how fitting this piece is for where my heart is right now.  I want the quiet intimacy of time alone with Christ this season....


See my new "Sweetly Linking" tab to see who I'm linking up with today.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

:) Your post and my post are so similar! Love it! I found you at the Linky today!

Shannon Q. said...

I have Jesus calling too! Reading your post makes me want to follow your pursuit! There is no thought than what it will be like to have more of Jesus and relationship with him!

Jessah @ Dreaming of Dimples said...

I never know what to give up for lent. :(

Unknown said...

Beautifully written and so true. I've never celebrated lent but I do like to change my routine once in a while. I love this idea of maybe taking 20 minutes away from this to focus on Him!

Anonymous said...

I was considering doing the same thing for Lent. I have never followed it before. We fasted a few weeks ago before we renewed our membership covenants for church and I fasted from online TV shows. I think I am going to do the same for Lent. Thanks for sharing. I am loving reading your blog, old friend. -Brittany

Unknown said...

I just love this post (I'm visiting from Megan's Liebster blog). And I want to steal your art journal! Beautiful!

Ruth

Unknown said...

I love it that you decided to give up some of your TIME. That's really, really meaninful.

Loved your blog!

Have a great weekend. Many blessings,



Danielle In The City said...

I gave up facebook for lent so I'd stop thumbing through pointless posts and wasting unnecessary time. It's been beautiful! I replaced the facebook button on my phone with my "jesus apps" group so whenever I get the urge to mindlessly browse something it bring me to scripture or blogs about Jesus... lots of fun :)

I felt the same way about lent growing up, but now the more I grow in my faith the more I find it an encouraging time to fast with others who are doing the same.

ThistleAshD said...

I think that's awesome Danielle. So smart to replace the app. I'm really enjoying the fasting part of Lent so far!