Lenten Challenge Day 1

So- today is Ash Wednesday...aka day numero uno of the Lenten season! I swore this year that I would give up all things dessert, but then my mother pointed out two important things to me:
1) we had a LOT of baking plans lined up for my homecoming next week...and not getting to eat all of those would be pretty sad and
2) Also while I'm home, I'll be sampling food for my brother's wedding in July - and with that sampling comes tasting wedding cake! Whoops! Can't deny myself of that! =P

So instead, I've decided to:
1) give up facebook (again..I've done this before, but it helps me be more productive!)
2) Blog daily with a Lenten reflection.

I've always liked the thought of journaling and being reflective, but I've never really had the time or the motivation to do so. But since I like typing much more than I like writing, I figured my blog would be the prefect outlet! I Googled "Lenten blog project" and found a church that will post daily questions, reflections, or ideas throughout Lent, so I plan on using those daily postings as my journaling catalyst!

The introduction to the blog reads:

For Lent 2011, Urban Village Church will be posting a daily devotional on the church Blog, so that during these upcoming forty days (Sundays are not included), each of us can have the opportunity to reflect as individuals and as one body.  These daily devotionals will revolve around themes of spiritual practices in light of the greater social issues around us.  Bible verses, personal meditations, news articles, book excerpts, and whatever else possible will be used in order to help us draw nearer to God and to the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters both near and far.

Today, March 9th, the post by blogger Tim included:
“Lent serves as our annual invitation to come closer to God.  It provides a time to look at our lives and ourselves so we can identify the obstructions that keep us from God.  Thus Lent offers a gift of time and a promise of closeness.  It gives us time to see our current state of affairs in complete honesty.” – Sarah Parsons (A Clearing Season: Reflections for Lent)

I posted this quote in the introductory post for the Lenten Devotional Blog a week ago, but I thought it would be worth revisiting as we enter this season together.  During today’s meeting with Urban Village staff, we went around the table discussing our experiences with Lent, and to my surprise, I found that I was not the only one who had grown up a non-participant of this ritual.  It always seemed that random people around me, most of whom I would never have known to be religious, would suddenly stop eating candy, drinking soda, playing video games, etc., and so I pegged Lent as some sort of strange time of adhering to law without engaging in relationship.

This will be my first Lent, and I am resolved to put aside past prejudices for the sake of the “promise of closeness” Sarah Parsons describes above.  Like the constant calendar pop-ups I set on my iPhone, reminders are a necessary part of life, and my hope is that this season of Lent will be such a reminder for all of us.  A reminder that we are human beings who struggle to know a God who is so far beyond our capacity to fully know.  A reminder that there are things in our lives that create barriers towards this quest of knowing.  A reminder that we must be evermore vulnerable and vigilant in seeking relationship and intimacy with our God.  A reminder that this personal move is intrinsically connected with the public faces that make up God’s creation.

There is much more to come in this space, so I would like to close this first day asking a question for reflection (and do share if you are willing).

What reminders do you need in your life during these next forty days?

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So, now begins my Lenten journal! Future posts will not be this long, but I needed an introduction!

Q: What reminders do you need in your life during these next forty days?
A: Lent has always been an interesting time in the church year for me. Having always grown up in the church, I'm rather familiar with the traditions and practices, but I can't always explain why things are the way they are. While making a quick grocery run the other night with my friends Matt and Laura, we found ourselves on the topic of Lent, and they both questioned what exactly Lent was all about- and I was able to explain what Lent to me, which was exciting! To me, Lent is a time to challenge ourselves and take time to reflect on all that Jesus did for us. His sacrifice was greater than any sacrifice we could possibly make, so to honor him, we take these 40 days to recognize the life that He gave us. Every time we're tempted throughout Lent, or every time we take time to journal, give back, or reflect, we take those moments to think of Him and all that He did for us. It's like our constant little ribbon around our finger - we have constant reminders throughout the Lenten season (that hopefully can translate to the rest of the year) to think of all that we have.

So I suppose the reminders I need throughout these 40 days are just my little ribbons on my finger. Giving up things during Lent has always been a "fun" thing for me (as much fun as it can be), because I'm constantly reminded of why I gave up what I did. Every time I have an urge to log onto Facebook, I'll remember. Just those little moments offer me time to think and be thankful. Then I'll have this journal. This project will challenge me to think and express myself in ways unfamiliar to me. I'm usually not one that openly speaks/writes about my religious views, so this project could present uncomfortable challenges, but I'm ready to tackle them to the best of my ability!

As a daily reminder, I would LOVE to hear other people's reflections and thoughts on these postings. Part of my desire to do this "blog style" is to have that community of other's thoughts. I honestly don't know how many people read this (I know my mommy does!), but if it catches on, I'd really enjoy reading other people's musings and making it more of a community project than a solo one. So, please, if you feel inclined, respond and reflect!

I'm excited! Happy Ash Wednesday and Lenten Season! Be thankful for Him and all that He has done for us!

-Amy-