Who do You want to become???

So it’s been almost a complete week since it was Holy Week (aka. Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday ☺). Besides being Holy Week it was also the end of the Lenten season. Now lent is not something you have to do however I would not recommend it if you are participating to just say “I’m giving up ____ for lent”. I used to do that...back when I was a teenager and didn’t know any better and just thought it was the cool thing all my Christian friends were doing.

This year I decided to give up chocolate (**insert gasp**). I know...chocolate!!! Know for anyone who knows me this was a massive decision. Chocolate is my best friend in times of sadness and despair and makes me feel better...temporarily I might add! I was looking at this as a way of hopefully curbing sugar cravings as well as depending on God to remove any tempting thoughts that came into my mind and anytime I was craving chocolate. The goal was to rely on God in those times and spend the craving moments in His presence.

So here it is...

Lent began on March 1st this year and went until April 15th (yes that’s 47 days...not 40). If you were only doing 40 days then you could have whatever you were giving up on Sundays only. Now I know myself and I knew that if I allowed chocolate on Sundays I would feel the need to have it more often...so I went 47 days. It started off great! I felt confident, wonderful and ready to tackle this challenge for both health and my relationship with God. The first bump in the road happened 11 days in...Seriously 11 days in! Not even two weeks in before I had my first encounter with God. This breakthrough was unexpected however greatly needed (I previously wrote about this...see the post titled ‘Clear the Stage’ for more detail ☺). This broke me down and I was relying on God more than I ever had before.

So as the weeks continued I was getting used to not having chocolate and was spending time with God while reading my days of lent devotional (the complete Easter story broken down in 47 days). The 47 days allowed me to see Him in a whole different light. Songs and scripture were clearer, my load a little lighter all because I chose to ‘give up’ something that meant something to me and in the end was a replacement to spending time with God.

Don’t get me wrong there was plenty that caused me stress or sadness over the remainder of the 47 days however not having the outlet of chocolate helped me realize how much I was replacing God. I was not relying on Him as much as I should have, wasn’t reading enough of His word as I should have. For me I am constantly working on relinquishing control over my life and allowing God to lead me. I have a tendency to hear God speak, feel great and do what he says for a little bit but then I’m right back to taking control of my life. In 1 Peter 5:6 it says “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

With participating in Lent, it’s made me realize that I’ve come far in my journey with God however I still have so far to go. Our path/lives are not our own, God has created a path for each of us and its how we travel along this path that will dictate our lives. Jeremiah 10:23 (NLT) says “I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.” I want to become this woman of God who spends more time in the word and His presence. I want to spend more time doing the work He has called me to do. I want to become the woman who is confident in herself in Christ and is alright if the path God has for me does not involve a spouse or children (this one is the hardest and always will be). We are so lucky that God is a God who comforts us in our sadness and times of need and that we don’t have to rely on worldly possessions or food to help us through.

I encourage each of you reading this to discover who you want to become. Enjoy the path you are on as it will help you on your journey in life and in your relationship with God.

Leave us a comment of your journey if you took part in Lent and what you discovered during that time!

PS….on a side note I had chocolate for the first time on April 16th and needless to say I should have started slow and realized it is not as enjoyable as I remembered ☺