Lent 7 Day Challenge

Every year when I was growing up, it would come to Ash Wednesday and the conversation would turn to what each family member was giving up for Lent.  There were many easy things to give up for Lent, like the time my brother and I gave up lifesavers for Lent.  At the end of the 40 days we weren't any closer to God because it wasn't lollies or candy that were separating us from God.

As we got older the things that my family members were giving up go a little more difficult.  One Lent I gave up coffee, my sister in law gave up chocolate and my brother gave up soft drink.  Whilst these were good things to give up, the focus was more on surviving 40 days without these luxuries.  Usually at the end of Lent we almost consumed 40 days worth of the thing we had given up on Easter weekend.

So how can we enter into this season of Lent:

1. Take something up for Lent - one Lent I took on 30 minutes of spiritual reading every day.  I read a number of books, did more reading of scripture and in the end had better understand of God because of it.  Take on something really specific to drawing closer to God.
2. Give up something for Lent -  try giving up something to free time for prayer and reflection.  One year I gave up listening to music or the radio as I drove to work.  Each morning I had 45 minutes to sit with my thoughts.  Whilst it was hard at first but it was surprising how much God was trying to talk to me when I normally would listen to the radio.  Give up something that specifically distracts you from God.
3. Do the Lent 7 day Challenge - perhaps if you don't know what to give up or to take up this Lent, join with others doing the Lent 7 day Challenge.  There are seven habits, one for each day of the week, that will draw you closer to God.  Perhaps some will come easier than others and that is ok.  It is the journey not your performance that is the most important.  Download the Lent 7 day challenge card here

Lent is all about our preparation for Easter.  How will you use the time of Lent to draw closer to God?  Leave a comment that might encourage others about what you will do or not do during Lent.