Writing as a Lenten Discipline

Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the first day of Lent. Ash Wednesday derives its name from a church leader placing repentance ashes in the shape of a cross on the foreheads of participants and saying either “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The ashes are prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration.

The season of Lent (forty days not including Sundays) ends the night before Easter Sunday, when the resurrection of Jesus is celebrated throughout the world. Lent leads Christians to prepare for Easter through prayer, repentance, and self-denial. Many of us commit to fasting, as well as giving up cherished luxuries in order to replicate the sacrifice of Jesus’ forty-day journey into the desert where He resisted Satan’s temptations.

Over years of practicing Lenten sacrifices, I’ve given up coffee, meat, professional manicures, new clothes, bad words, R-rated movies, and alcohol. Each time I give up or cut back on these habits, it not only improves my health and well-being but, more importantly, it causes me to consider Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross. This practice brings me closer to Him. This year, I’m giving up sweets, including my favorite dark chocolate, in an effort to purify my body, God’s temple.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1

Three years ago, I began adding a different spiritual discipline to each day during the Lenten season. I’ve added evening prayer, repeating a memorized scripture, and performing volunteer work. This year, my spiritual discipline will be to write something each day that will glorify God. Here are some writing ideas I’ve brainstormed with one of my godly writing partners, Allyson Lewis:

• Send cheerful cards to seniors, active duty troops, healthcare workers, prisoners, and those who are ill.
• Post motivational quotes on social media.
• Share devotions.
• Remind friends how much they mean to me through email and texts.
• Hand write letters to those who need encouragement.

Do you practice a Lenten sacrifice or discipline? Take a step and please share with all of us!