With the speed and pace of day-to-day life, how often do we forget to stop and pause and as some people say “smell the roses”? When we forget to stop or press pause we almost oversee the season we are in, whether it be Lent, Christmas, Easter or a time of year precious to us. In the weeks after Mary had had the pleasure of giving birth to the Messiah, Jesus, Luke 2:9 recorded this wonderful verse:
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Mary Paused. She stopped in the midst of all the busyness around her and she reflected on what had been. Lent offers us this the same opportunity, to stop and press pause on the busyness and ponder on what has been – what a great thing to do, just ponder.
But Lent offers more than just the opportunity to press pause and ponder. Lent is widely known as a time to give up something that you would otherwise do, normally something we eat. This is known as fasting, forgoing something you enjoy to benefit others and honour God. This year it is expected that 10% of adults will give up chocolate for lent, 6% sweets and 5% alcohol over the 46 days of lent (40 excluding Sundays). So how could giving up these things bring honour to God? In giving up chocolate could we give the money we save to charity or how about using the time you would normally watch TV for 10 minutes to pray, just communicate with God?
In this season of Lent, be encouraged to press pause on the busyness, the rush, the day-to-day life and value that time, that money, that opportunity to bring honour to God through what you do next.
Remember, Lent is a time of Prayer, Fasting and Giving.
