I normally don’t observe Lent.  Usually I tell people that it’s because I don’t think there’s anything that I really feel compelled to give up.  The truth is, as a creature of habit it’s really hard to throw a monkey wrench into my daily routine.  This year I was convicted during Josh’s sermon about how everything we have is temporary.  It’s all on loan and somewhere along the road we’ve given them much more credit than they were due.  Here’s what I’ll be fasting and why…

Facebook
Facebook is probably the website I check the most.  Considering that this is the busiest semester we have in all 3 years of grad school and also due to my borderline academic status, I really need to do well.  What does this have to do with God?  Well, I feel like being here is a totally undeserved gift and I want to honor that blessing and be a good steward of where God has placed me to pursue what I feel is His calling in my life.  Also, when I wake up in the morning, my first inclination while I eat breakfast is to check Facebook.  There seems to be something wrong with that.

Facebook also makes me feel connected.  Being on the opposite coast, Facebook is another means for me to stay connected with those that I love the most on the west.  Giving up Facebook would be a reminder that those relationships are secondary to the most important relationship I have.  It’ll also make me much more accountable to reaching out to and prioritizing my loved ones in more substantial ways.  Fasting Lent will also make me more accountable to this blog and make me “update” people in a more substantial way than a 160 character status update via Selective Tweets…that is, if people actually read this thing.

Soda
I love Coke Zero.  I pretty much love all things caffeinated (I can’t give up coffee just yet though…we’re taking baby steps here!), but Coke Zero is like my secret lover.  I love an ice cold can (actually I prefer fountain soda) of guilt-free cola on a daily basis.  If I could, I would have a can with me at all times.  Yeah, I’d say I’m a tad dependent.  I don’t feel guilty or anything for my relationship with Coke Zero, but every time I crave a can, it’ll be a reminder of what I really need to be craving and dependent on for energy and enjoyment.  To protect myself from loopholes, I expanded it beyond Coke Zero to all soda.  Right now I’m drinking a can of Raspberry Seltzer Water.  Oh boy…

So what are you giving up for Lent?