What is lent? Lent is not just the time of the year that you eat fast food fish sandwiches on Fridays and give up things like chocolate and Diet Coke; lent is a time of fasting, reflection, and repentance. I have come to the age now where I realize that Lent is not just a time where I give up some of my favorite things for forty days, it is so much more. It’s a time to refocus my love for our Lord and reflect on the life that I am living, so instead of giving up chocolate this year, I want my 40 days to be a little more meaningful. Here’s a list of things you can DO this Lenten season instead of just giving up!
Morning prayer/ Devotions
- Start your day off with a morning prayer or devotional, thanking God for another day. It is a great way to refocus your relationship with God. Use this time to thank Him, ask Him for strength and mercy, prayer for others, etc.
Psalm 143:8 “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”
Service
- Use these forty days to serve a part of your community in need. Whether this be serving at your local nursing home or soup kitchen, use this time to give back to those who are less fortunate than you. In addition, reflect on the wonderful life you have been given.
Mark 9:35 “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
Affirmation
- Affirm one person each of the forty days. Let someone know that they are loved and that they are worthy. Make sure your affirmations are more than just skin deep.
Hebrews 3:13 “Encourage one another daily.”
Listen to only Christian music
Only listen to Christian music for forty days, and listen to the music on a deeper level. Listen to the message behind the song. Here is a list of artist to take a listen to.
- Hillsong United
- Elevation Worship
- The Gray Havens
- Passion
- Chris Tomlin
Ephesians 5:19 “Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”
Whether you pick up many or even one of these ideas (or even create your own), I hope that you choose to DO this Lent.