Lent is a week away and I have already decided what I’m going to give up: chocolate, coffee (!!), Coke zero (!!!)… my favourite three C’s! By the time the 40 days are up, I’ll be totally cleansed and detoxed on the inside! But seriously, is this just what Lent is actually about? Is it just a period to forfeit your favourite thing only to ‘pig’ out and indulge from Easter morning till Ash Wednesday the following year? Nope. Lent is actually the most important period in the Christian calendar.

Below is an excerpt from the weekly email I received from FaithGateway Today; it is based on a book, 40 Days of Decrease, written by Alicia Britt Chole. This piece is reminiscent of the sermon Reverend Chuks gave two weeks ago during the online ministration service about how John the Baptist acknowledged Christ before his disciples. The author invites us to consider Lent as a kick-off to a season of decrease, a different type of fast.
…”Our focus is uncluttering our hearts from the stuff that weighs us down and blocks our, and others’ view of Jesus. Because much of the reason we’re here on earth is to see Jesus and have others see Him through us…

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

– John the Baptist (John 3:30)

Decrease is a spiritual necessity. John the Baptist was the first among Jesus’ followers to grasp its counter-cultural power. John’s understanding of “less is more” was spiritually profound. Gabriel had announced John’s life-calling to Zechariah before John was even conceived: John was the one who, “in the spirit and power of Elijah . . . [would] make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17).

In many ways, John lived a Lenten lifestyle 365 days a year. His diet was narrow, his possessions were minimal, and his focus was eternal. But decrease for John was less about assets and more about attention. His longing was to draw his generation’s attention and allegiance to the Messiah. From John’s perspective, the true value of people seeing him was that people would then be positioned to see through him and gaze at Jesus. By willingly decreasing, John increased others’ view of the Saviour.

So what aspect of your life do you need to change during Lent 2019 and beyond? In what area of your life does God look at you with love and ask you to set something aside for a closer walk with Him? For me it’s the big “D” for distractions: social media, Netflix and the like! Let us prayerfully make the effort to decrease in order for Him to overflow in our lives to His glory. Go on. His grace is sufficient. And you may lose a pound or five :)!!!

Have a great Lent!

Isobel