This is my second year participating in Lent. I didn't grow up participating in this tradition but I found it to be a powerful exercise for me last year. This year I decided to give up Facebook for Lent. It wasn't exactly easy for me to decide to give up Facebook. (Here's how I decided on the Facebook sacrifice.)
I deactivated my Facebook account. I had a few days of a surprising relief. I didn't feel torn away. I felt free of something that had a hold on my time. That was a nice surprise. That wore off and then I felt like something was missing. I remembered a suggestion from a friend: The practice of Lent works best when it is more than just self denial. The preparation of my heart during the 40 days is effective when I dedicate myself to the growing of my faith. In other words, instead of just giving up something, I should take on (or step up) something. I should replace what I am giving up with something that will draw me closer to God.
I spent a day or so wondering what I should do. I prayed. I found a desire to increase the time I spend in prayer and Bible reading. That desire is a constant desire, though, so it didn't seem like enough for my Lent observance. Then it hit me. I need something that I can focus on constantly during this season. I need something to draw my attention. I gave myself a goal: scripture memory.
To the best of my ability, I am going to memorize Psalm 103 during Lent.
I will share with you pieces of the chapter on Sundays.
Today I am focusing on the first five verses. These verses remind me not to forget what God has done. In ways, I cannot imagine ever forgetting. But I do go through many days not remembering.
I will not forget: God is full of grace. He provides. He redeemed my life. He loves. He is compassionate- beyond all I can comprehend.
Psalm 103: 1-5
Praise the Lord, O my Soul, all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your life with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.
8 comments:
You inspired me! I'm not touching Facebook right now for at least a week, who knows, maybe forever.
Lovve the scripture memory idea!
Good for you! You are an amazing woman.
Good for you Jane Anne...I remember last year when you gave up blogging except for your Thankful Thursday posts! YOu are such an inspiration! Love the idea of sacraficing one thing for another and great choice of memory verses!
Amen! What a great idea for Lent. Looking forward to your Sunday posts. :-)
Oh, thanks for sharing. Think I'll spend some time with Psalm 103 as well. Thanks for the inspiration.
sharon
Good for you Jane Anne! I haven't ever participated in Lent and don't really know what it is about. Perhaps I will do some researching and reading and participate next year.
Way to go Jane Anne...deactivating. That is awesome and I love that you do what you say you are going to do.
Love those verses.
I gave up Facebook for Lent too! Great minds think alike. I didn't deactivate my account, I'm just not going there.
The games suck me in and I really found myself wasting time on it. I love my blog but I don't spend as much time on it as I once did. And I work for WEGO Health on the computer but that doesn't take up ALL of my time. But Facebook does. I kind of miss it, but I'm not sure I'm going back to it after Lent. I did like keeping up with extended family members that I don't see nearly enough but the rest of it is a giant time suck that takes me away from my family and from keeping my mind and heart on Him.
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