Lent

The church I grew up in was very centered around the liturgical calendar of the church year and talk of giving something up for the season of lent was very common. While in general I have chosen a direction that doesn't put such emphasis on that, fasting or other times of giving things up have been some of my most meaningful God moments throughout my time as a Christian, and I continue to use the season of lent to help me stay accountable to doing something like that.

Usually leading up to it I think about something I do or use every day that at some level I feel like I can't live without (although of course I know I really can). In previous years I have given up things someone common to give up like chocolate or even all sweets. But I have also been somewhat less conventional in giving up things like using the microwave or falling asleep watching Hogan's Heroes (this was actually probably the hardest one i've done).

So this year I gave up listening to the radio/cds/etc. in my car when i'm alone. I've had a couple people question this especially knowing that I usually only listen to Christian music anyways so even if i'm taking the time in my car to pray or focus on God how is that different than focusing on God through Christian music (anyone that knows me knows that I definitely use music as a way to commune with God). I don't really feel like I need to defend my decision to do this, because ultimately it's between me and God, but I've been tossing this around my head and thought I would share...

Even three weeks into lent, I still find myself automatically reaching up to turn on the radio every time I get in my car. It's such an ingrained action and I have to be conscious about my choice not to do it. It's a daily reminder of sacrifice... as I daily remember that I'm not listening to the radio, I also remember Christ's sacrifice-

who being completely God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped

but made himself nothing

taking the very nature of a servant

being made in human likeness

and being found in appearance as a man

he humbled himself and became obedient to death

even death on a cross.

yes, he did that for me. and in this season leading up to easter where we celebrate his victory over the grave this is a simple reminder of the sacrifice that it took to get him there

p.s. ... it's late, and I'm probably not thinking fully and i don't know if this makes sense or if it's just a jumble, but i wanted to share.