empty praise

Necessary & Unnecessary: Lent Day #1

March 9, 2011 at 10:51 am Leave a comment

Today marks the beginning of Lent. I trust that if you are reading here, you have the ability to learn about the history, purpose and meaning behind the season since we all know how to Google something.

I grew up Catholic, so Lent was marked by Fridays of those nasty breaded fish sticks and fries for dinner. When I really embraced following Christ on my own, I can’t say that I did much to embrace the discipline of the season. It really has been only the last couple years that the thought of intentionally engaging in the meaning and practice of the season has tugged at my heart and mind.

This year is the right year, this year is the right season of life to challenge myself to follow through on those thoughts and nudges. There have been many challenges personally in the past year and especially recent months (and great things to celebrate) but for some reason I am stirred to act and participate in this historically transformative season in a very personal way. I guess if I’m already in the throes of challenges, difficult processes and changes, then why not work on some more core issues?

I know many people look at Lent as a time of giving something(s) up, ultimately a practice of intentional sacrifice that hopefully clears some space for some more intentional prayer and thoughtfulness to Christ’s life and sacrifice. The choices these days seem to be giving up Facebook (a wonderful time-waster), sugar/desserts, lattes, TV, etc. I know I could have done any and all of those things and I would have felt the pain of sacrifice for 40 days. But yesterday I really wanted to take some time to pray about the heart of the issues in my life and hear if there was something more or different that God wanted to reveal to me.

Since I’m third trimester pregnant, the idea of giving up and cutting out any kind of food for good sounded like trouble because it sounded like a recipe for failure and emotional disasters. I laughed when over breakfast Nate said we could give up sugar, and I almost asked him if he wanted to see me without sugar these next 6 weeks. I know theoretically it would be an absolutely fantastic idea that my midwife would probably support, as would my growing belly and butt, but come on. A pregnant hormotional woman without the hope of a scoop of ice cream at the end of the day of growing a child, parenting two young boys, working and doing life? That’s not just sacrifice for me – ALL would have to agree to that kind of sacrifice.

So anyway, I resorted to making a list. On my list were things I could actually do more of – like daily affirmations of others for instance. The things I could do less of or cut out all had to do with ”unnecessary things.” As soon as I stumbled on the word “unnecessary” and saw the pattern in my list of “unnecessary” things, I knew that was what I needed to be thinking about and focusing on for this season.

I realized I have a lot of areas of life where if I put into practice the idea of evaluating first “Is this necessary?” than I might really be surprised and challenged. It also reminded me of the teaching of Paul from Ephesians 4:

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

This is my list of “The Unnecessary Stuff”:

• Unnecessary internet surfing
• Food choices – pop, candy, crappy food, those extra sweets that a pregnant woman can far too easily justify having in excess
• Shopping
• Grocery shopping – going with the “Pantry Principle” here. Use what I have, shop minimally (milk, fruits/veggies, bread) and only go buy food that I need when I need it. Even if I am really excited to try a new recipe or make an old favorite, is it necessary if I am fully capable of making meals with what we have on hand?
• Excessive TV time
• Worry
• Talking about people or situations in a way that doesn’t reveal truth. – I tend to think too highly of my opinion and want to share it. Basically I need to practice putting on a muzzle.

My initial thoughts are if I more intentionally focus or practice evaluating what is necessary – in simple choices and actions, in relational situations, in challenging situations – then it clears some space for the truth of Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 4 to take root and bear fruit in my life. I wonder what else I will recognize in my life as over-indulgences or areas that I can listen for the promptings of “do this – it’s necessary” or “don’t, it’s not necessary.”

And since my boys are starting to howl at each other and C is doing the potty dance, it is necessary to be done.

Entry filed under: Church, Discipleship, Faith, Lent, Life. Tags: Christianity, Discipleship, Faith, Lent.