As we are all well aware, Ash Wednesday is tomorrow.
Of course, i'm not catholic but I have seen more and more non-catholic, Christian churches participating in Lent throughout the past few years. I can remember the first time I ever gave anything up for Lent. I did it with absolutely no purpose. I did it because my friends were doing it, and I saw it as kind of a challenge to test my self control. I saw it as a diet plan. I was successful. But the entire time, I never even realized Lent was a fasting process until someone asked me, "Why are you doing it?".. What do you mean, 'why am I doing it?' I'm doing it because I can! Because I will benefit from it!
I. I will benefit from it. So often, we do things with no purpose. And by no purpose, I mean- to benefit ourselves. The ONLY purpose we have on this Earth is to serve God. To offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him, each and every day. To die to ourselves and the purpose we THINK we serve on this Earth. And so, with this I have realized that fasting food, at this point in my walk, is not a good idea. There are many people who will be suffering from caffeine crashes, an aching sweet tooth, and hunger pains come tomorrow. I won't be one of those. Oh, I need to be.. and perhaps that is the problem. I recognize the need to lose weight, for MY purpose. But what I am abundantly thankful for, is that even more so, I recognize the need to draw closer to my Father. I recognize that no matter what I do on this earth, I will never be close enough. That's why I feel like He has led me to offer up a different sacrifice to Him. Perhaps it sounds crazy, off-the-wall, and maybe pointless.. to you.., but I honestly feel led to give up make-up for the next month (or however long it is.) Trust me, I really don't want to. However, I know that I must because I would never come up with something like that on my own. Giving up make-up for a month will benefit me in no way at all. Instead, i'm convinced it will benefit my relationship with God significantly. It will lead me to a more heavy reliance on my security in God and His purpose for my life. I have tried to put into words what the Lord is doing in my heart, and what His plan for this sacrifice is, but I can't find the words to explain it to you, friends. So, once I finish typing this, I am going to go wash off my make-up, and that will be the last time it graces my face for the 6 weeks... WOAH. didn't even realize it was that long. This is going to be a challenge, indeed. I would be telling a story if I said I wasn't nervous.. or if I said I was confident that I wouldn't have any inclination to put on some makeup to make me feel better about myself. But I pray that I will be able to withstand my fleshly desires for that time. I am going to devote my life, even more so, to prayer and devotion to seeking the Lord and His desires for my life. I will rest in the sweet comfort only He can provide. I believe the Lord has something spectacular in store for me through this, and I will undoubtedly be miles closer to Him when the time rolls around to celebrate the Ultimate Sacrifice of His Son, and my Savior, Jesus Christ.
"Charm is deceptive and beauty if fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
Proverbs 31:30.
Until we meet again,
Mollie
