“WHAT ARE WE GIVING UP?”
This season is a time when we hear conversations focusing on what we are giving up for Lent. Recently, a friend of my wife was in conversation with a group of ladies at her Vet’s office. The conversation turned to Lent and to the surprise of my wife’s friend those with whom she was conversing responded, “we've never heard of Lent. What is it?”
My wife’s friend, who is a follower of Jesus Christ, shared that she was giving up certain things that had the possibility of taking priority over her walk with the Lord. She then added, “when I consider Jesus Christ gave up His life for me, I must focus on what I give up that will enhance my walk with Him.”
We continue our journey to Easter morning. As we continue our journey to Easter, we must first go to the cross of Christ. We focus on the death on Christ and the giving up of His life that we might have life now and for all eternity.
What about those thing in life that are hindering our walk with Christ? Could it be that our walk with our Lord would be strengthened through the giving up of jealousy, prejudice, pride, bitterness, self-righteousness, a judgmental spirit, a critical spirit? I would encourage each of us to give these up and take upon ourselves the spirit of Christ, the spirit of servanthood. I truly believe we will be blessed as others read in our lives the language of grace.
Read and reflect on Ephesians 6:10-20.
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK:
OUR FATHER, WE GIVE YOU PRAISE FOR JESUS CHRIST AND WHAT HE GAVE UP THAT WE MIGHT HAVE A FULL AND MEANINGFUL LIFE. AS WE CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY TO EASTER SUNDAY, CONVICT US OF OUR NEED TO GIVE UP THOSE THINGS THAT KEEP US FROM BEING THE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST YOU WOULD HAVE US TO BE. GIVE US THE COURAGE TO WALK IN THE STEPS OF JESUS THAT WE MIGHT TRULY BE LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.