... not going so well. I have drank a lot of water, but I have also had a few other drinks here and there. I don't want to make excuses, but I have been sick and just wanted something with some flavor. However, I am going to keep trying. I think when choosing something for lent, it should be something related to time wasted that should have been spent being more Christ centered. Like no tv, or limited tv (very limited), or getting rid of the time waster of Internet. I have been reading the Bible more frequently as a result of my desire to draw closer to the Lord and have been reading Christ's journey to his Crucifixion - so that part of my lent has been good. I just don't know that water was the best choice. All I can think of is "how is this going to draw me closer to God?", but then I think about having to rely on His strength, endurance, and it is good to learn to have more will power that can be used against other things. All I have to say is thank goodness for mercy and grace. Of course, not just for lent, but in all of life. It does make me think about the power of the cross more often these days.
Also, in the failing of lent, it makes me ashamed. It seems like such an easy task: drink water and read the Word, yet, even in this simple commitment to Christ, I fall short. Even in this simple commitment, I can't live my life with excellence. And it makes me think about all the other facets of my life. Am I living them with excellence and glorifying God in them? Probably not. Ashamed. Thanks be to the Lord for His unending mercy and grace! Thanks be to Christ for living a life of true, perfect excellence - so blameless - that would be able to be a sacrifice for my sad soul - and knowing that He did that for me (and you!) even though he knew I couldn't even keep this simple lent commitment - and every other less than excellent part of my life. It does make me want to try harder. And while I know trying harder doesn't save me, only the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross has done that, it makes me want to try harder and be better because I want to bring Him glory, live a life of excellence, and do something (even if small) to express my love for Him; allowing Him to express Himself through me to others - and to myself.
Trying harder - I'll report again next week. But you can always feel free to check in on me! If you care to leave a comment, I would be interested in knowing what your Lent commitment is and why you chose it.
