Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Disappointment with Lent
I'm not really sure if I'm supposed to be blogging right now seeing that I gave up all non-work-related Internet use, but I guess this qualifies as work-related. So, I've been thinking about Lent and wondering if it has really affected people in the way that it has affected me. I've been drawn to spend time with God and to rely on his Spirit much more than I have in a long while. However, when I asked people last Wednesday what they were learning in their fast, no one seemed to be learning much of anything. This was disappointing at first, but I realized that this is just our first Lent together and maybe I was expecting all of these amazing things to happen when, for most of us, it would simply be a sort of warm up for coming years. I'm a little more comfortable with it now, but I've got to say that I'm learning that spending time with God satisfies my soul in ways that TV, movies, and Internet doesn't. I'm slowly beginning to trust that God really is more satisfying that his good gifts. I'm glad we're doing Lent together. May he bless you with his presence and power in your life as you seek him in prayer throughout this season.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
13 comments:
Until you asked the question on Wed. I hadn't been thinking about what I've learned or if I've learned anything at all. But I think, actually I know, I have learned some things. Slowly, gradually God has been showing me that I can be satisfied without TV! or at least without near the amount that I have always watched. I haven't had any great epiphanies or such. Like I said it's been gradual just like my increased enjoyable Bible reading and prayers. I'm actually going to sorry when lent is over and we get back into our 'normal' life routines. I know I don't have to go back to the old. In fact I don't want to. I'm just afraid I might. I'm just glad I have friends like you.
I havent really been learning anything, but I think that is because I have broken Lent so many times. But now that Im not spending as much time on the computer and watching TV, I have more time to do more important things, (like piano and homework). I agree with Seth that it will be much harder to continue to live the "Lent life" after Lent is over, part of the reason being that we wont have the support of the whole youth group. It will be just me and God, not me, God, and the whole youth group making sure I dont mess up.
I was thinking a while ago about lent and how it has become so easy to not watch TV or go on the internet that I don't even think about it anymore. I don't necessarily think that it is a bad thing because a lot of Americans spend way too much time involved with media, but if I don't think about watching TV or going on the computer, that means I don't think about God as much. It has become natural for TV and computer to not be part of my life. It is sort of disappointing to me because I was hoping for some sort of change in my point of view towards God, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen this time. So, no, I guess it hasn't affected me in the way it has you, but I'm sure that later in my life I will realize that it did change me, even if it is a very small thing.
By the way, I love the blog.....
Thank you Seth, I'm glad I have friends like you too. You know, I think it will be hard to continue the "Lent life" after it is over. I actually think this is probably why we've been observing Lent since at least Augustine's day. We know that as humans we need seasons of self-examination built into our lives so that we don't go too far off track. I hope, though, that we as a fellowship will continue to support each other in our continued journey in following Jesus. I hope that after Lent is over for us we will still have some sense of accountability in our everyday lives in the group. Also, Bekka, I know how you feel with the TV thing. It has become so easy to not watch TV and movies that I usually don't think about them. But there are still times when I really, really, really want to watch a movie and I hope Laura wants to as bad as I do so that we can both break Lent and indulge in a movie. It is those times that I am really challenged to go to God and remember why I am fasting in the first place. If I do go to God, it is pretty much always a good decision, but it is always hard. Who wants to pray when they are in the mood to go to a movie? Not me. Anyways, I guess I'm done rambling. I'm glad you like the blog, Bekka!
After last Wednesday, I really was hungering to actually use Lent as an opportunity to get closer to God. praying about it and talking about it really woke me up in that sense. This past week has been better, and I'm really going to make an effort in this last week of Lent. Most of the time I find I don't even really want something sweet. It definitely shows that there's something else there that we are really ment for and meant to want.
Topic Change. A few weeks ago you brought up Hope, something i really haven't thought about for a while. I knew that I had been missing some things lately, and knew that Hope was one of those things I used to think about far more often. But I put off thinking about it for a while and had actually forgotten about it until I came upon something. This week I read Romans for the bible study I'm in. Romans 12:24-25 says that 'For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.' Reading Romans helped me to re-find the awe I used to have when it comes to what God has given us to able to look forward to His Kingdom.
-Liana
p.s. love the blog :)
Bekka I totally agree with you! I am going through the same thing with Lent. I don’t even think about txting any more. The only time I really think about it is when I am at school or some place other than my home and just want to say something to someone. It is usually in those moments when I want to say a quick hello or something, but don’t really need to call them. When I am at home and want to txt it reminds me to go read the Bible. However most of the time I feel the urge to txt I am not at home and don’t have access to a Bible. I know I can pray anywhere but it is really distracting to pray during math or whatever class I’m in. The blog is really cool Josh I love it!
IT WAS HARD THE FIRST DAY OR TO BUT NOW I JUST SIT THEAR BORD. I FOUND THAT I NEVER NOTICED A CHANG PROBLY SINSE I NEVER REALISED IT BUT I FILED THAT SPACE WITH SOMETHING ELSE ... MAN I HAVE THE SHORTEST ONE.
When does lent end? I thought it ended on Friday, but then someone else said last Sunday, then someone else said this Sunday....??
Lent ends Easter Sunday. It is the 40-day period before Easter (not including Sundays) that is used in preparation for Easter.
Wow. Lent is over... I dont feel like I have learned much or like I tried hard enough. But it was a good experience. Im looking forward to next years Lent!
I agree with Lyuda. It was a good experience to give up something you do a lot for 4o days. It made me realize how much of my life I spend doing nearly pointless things...it was cool though. I definitely feel closer to the youth group now, though.
Post a Comment