DON'T GIVE UP
Traditionally, Lent is a period in which we deliberately give something up in order that we can better focus on Jesus and more faithfully follow him.
That’s a good sentence, right? I mean, learning to focus on Jesus and more faithfully follow him has got to be good news, hasn’t it?
Trouble is, Lent so easily becomes a weird mish-mash of fad dieting and old school guilt. Focus and faithful following seem to get left behind.
So, in an effort to do better this year, we’re serving up these three top tips for keeping the focus right…
1 - Read our Lent devotionals and get to know our Lent song list
Each week between now and Easter we’re posting a new devotional, linked to a classic worship song. Join us as we get sink our teeth into the lyrics, pin back our ears for some new sounds and open our hearts to the Lord. Click through to the blog and select the 'Devotional' category to see the latest entries.
We’ve also got a ton of great songs that we’ve gathered together in our Lent Worship Song List. Check them out and let us know what you’d add.
2 - Spend 10 minutes each day worshipping
Taize is one of the leading sites of Christian pilgrimage. Every year, over 100,000 young people travel to the small French village from all over the world. They study Scripture, pray, work communally and share – regardless of denomination or background. And at the heart of the Taize experience is the sung worship.
Taize’s worship has always reflected its heart. With Protestant and Catholic brothers serving side by side, drawn from over thirty different nations, the sounds that have emerged from the regular daily services have been full of unity, simplicity and harmony. Blending prayer, meditation and praise and worship, Taize’s approach worship is a great way to bring the focus back to Jesus.
If you want to go a little deeper, try reading a Psalm, and consider which line speaks to you most. Use it as a refrain that you can sing out to God - either making up your own melody or borrowing from another song.
3 - Sign up to 40acts
Jean Vanier describes a Christian as ‘one who is thankful’. As we set out on the long walk to Easter, let’s be thankful for everything God has done for us - and prepare to express our gratitude fully.
While we might like to think that Lent is all about what we give up, but each year tens of thousands of Christians are learning how much good it does them to something different. 40acts encourages them to see Lent as a chance to give out, not just give up.
40acts is an online campaign that delivers a daily email to your inbox. You’ll get a Bible reflection and a challenge to do something good for those around you. These random acts of kindness remind us that giving is inseparably linked to receiving, that we can only begin to be used by God to meet another’s need because we have begun to allow Him to meet our own.