Day 1: The Plan for Lent

During the sermon, Pastor DT shared examples of what people sacrifice during Lent: food, social media, entertainment, etc. I didn’t feel any inclination to fast from any of those.

Back home, while I was reflecting on the day’s events, I felt challenged to write and publish one post per day here. 40 days? I can’t sustain. 10? Probably I will try perfect 7. But why did I have this idea though, it’s not like I am abstaining from anything.

Wait a minute.

From another perspective, I am sacrificing my time. And instead of indulging in social media and entertainment, I am using the time to reflect upon God’s presence in my life and write out these reflections. Unknowingly, I am fasting without fasting from the specifics. This fulfils the purpose too, right? Since fasting is a way to make room in our souls for God to enter.

For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6

“Why such a big practice on sacrifice during Lent?” I wondered.

• To walk with Jesus as He walked to be the sacrifice?
• To have an inkling of His sacrifice?
• To sip and taste a little from the cup of His suffering?
• To appreciate a little how much He had sacrificed for us?

But sacrifice would lose its meaning if we fast from social media but spent the “extra” time on entertainment. So perhaps reframing this sacrifice helps me change my focus. Instead of focusing on what I have given up during my fast, I focus on what I am doing to remain in Him.

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22B

Anyway, this writing commitment is practically good for me too – training me to be more disciplined and consistent. I have long drafts in my mind that I have such high inertia to write out, and long drafts in the computer that remain unpublished because I felt I over-shared and felt reluctant to cut it.

So during this Lent season, if you don’t know what you can “sacrifice” for God, how about walking in ways to draw near Him?Perhaps worship with two songs per day, sit in His quiet presence five minutes a day, or read the bible for ten minutes before you sleep?

Start small, start with fewer days with the commitment. 3-day, 7-day, and then slowly increase it. Let’s stir one another! If you’re on it, share it with me in the comments section below.

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