Give It Up

Today is Ash Wednesday.  The beginning of Lent.  Generally, I’ve not been one to give up anything during this season.  Mostly because I get tired of hearing people say they are giving up chocolate.  Or Facebook (Twitter will be the trendy pick this year).  Or soda/pop/coke – whatever variation works for your particular region.  Not that those are bad things to fast from, I’m just not sure what benefit one gets, in a spriritual sense, from giving up those things.  If giving up Dr Pepper brings you closer to Jesus, that’s a story I want to hear.  Maybe I should give up judging others?

This year, I am choosing to take part.  I am going to give up gossip.  Over the past year, it has snuck up on me and taken over.  It is killing my soul.  I hate it.  I have always hated it.  Now I’m the guy doing what he hates.  I need to shut my mouth and listen to people, listen to their story, rather than telling my version of their story.  Gossip assassinates character.  More than anything, it distracts from the Kingdom.  And that is unacceptable.  While giving up gossip, I will add reading one chapter of Proverbs per day during this season.  I started this in January but got off track quite quickly.  I also want to be intentional about listenting to people.  Really listening to them.  Listen and find out ways I can help them, serve them, pray for them.

If you read this, I want to know what you are giving up and what you are adding, if you are taking part in this season of Lent.  Even if you’ve never commented before.  Make yourself known.  If you’re not participating, I would also like to know why (sorry, I’m curious nosy).

**Edit: I saw this quote yesterday from an old high school friend, TJ McCloud, regarding the season of Lent, and thought I should mention it here.

Fasting, or giving up anything for a time is a powerful thing, but only when tied to deep prayer and purpose.

So, what are you giving up?