Lent

Last night was Ash Wednesday and amid all the craziness of switching to MediaShout, wondering if the sanctuary will be ready for Sunday (even though I'm going to be in Colorado), and hoping that everything works out the way it's supposed to, I was able to take some time at the Vespers service for some self-contemplation.

One of the disciplines of Lent is the idea of giving something up. It's not necessarily a vice, although vices are good to give up anytime. It is generally something that gives pleasure, something that you enjoy. It can also be something that distracts from focus on God. I was thinking about what to give up for Lent. I like meat too much to give that up. I don't eat ice cream any more, so that's out. Lent falls conveniently between sweeps months, so I could give up TV, but let's not get crazy. I mean, the season finale of Battlestar Galactica is coming up.... (yes, I fully realize the irony there)

Then I thought about one of my favorite activities, blogging. I realized it was perfect for this time, because somehow, against my best intentions, blogging has become one of those distractions for me. I love the writing and I love the thinking that goes into the writing, but sometimes it's easier to focus on those things than the object of those things, God. Much in the same way that reading theological books can have the intention of bringing me closer to God, but really only give me more knowledge about God.

I've also become slightly addicted to Statcounter. It's a program on the blog that tells me where people who visit me are from, how long they stay, how they got to my blog, and how many people visit me a day. I check it multiple times a day. Mainly because I'm curious, but so subtly, self worth can be tied to it, almost like comments. If I don't get a certain amount of visits or unique visitors or new visitors, I get a little disappointed.

So, for Lent, I'm giving up blogging. Now, I'll keep doing the Post Restorationist Radio podcasts and I'll keep checking other people's blogs and commenting where I feel like it. I hope you can find something in your life that you can give up to become closer to God. And I would highly, highly recommend taking 10 minutes out of your day each day to visit Sacred Space. It's really a great exercise for centering on God in the morning.

May God bless you during this season of Lent and may He guide you in a time of contemplation in preparation for the celebration of Easter.