Good morning…
The sentence that flavored my first week of Lent came from a friend who said, “For Lent, I am giving up trying.”
Trying to fix. Trying to win. Trying to force. Trying to define. Trying to direct. Trying to appease. Trying to control. Trying to predict. Trying to impress. Trying to persuade. Trying to understand. Trying to make things happen, my way in my time.
What a powerfully freeing sentence: “For Lent, I am giving up trying.”
That was last week; this is this week. This week I met a new sentence to shape my Lenten journey. Another person said, “For Lent, I am giving up.”
Giving up. Surrendering. Relinquishing control. Releasing burdens. Laying down my life. Submitting to the Spirit’s lead. Letting go to let God.
On the cross Jesus lived, “I am giving up.” “I give up my life . . . No one takes it from me, but I give it up because I want to” (John 10:17-18, CEB). As we follow in Christ’s footsteps, what a simple, sacred sentence: “For Lent, I am giving up.”
Now here’s a piercing question to ponder: “Do I really want to?”
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV).
Christ has paved our way to joy. During this Lenten season, will we stop trying to force our way, start giving up what hinders us, and enjoy living the seated life marked out for us by God?
…Sue…
