Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
One of my dear readers posed an important question after yesterday's post that I believe resonates with many of us- but maybe we're too afraid to ask. She wondered, "I don't understand the purpose of giving something up to prove ourselves to God."
In that question lies a very important revelation of who our God really is. She's right, when you think about it. What is the point of giving something up during Lent, or any other time in our lives. What kind of God is this who asks us to prove ourselves to Him. If God is truly love, than why do we have to jump through all these hoops just to get His attention?
I believe at the heart of this question there is a deep seated fear that lies within all of us- that God would only be interested in us because of what we do for Him. Within this comes a multitude of fear-based actions...doing, doing, doing, in order to be loved.
But this, my dear brothers and sisters, is not the God we serve. God reminds us time and time again that though He appreciates what we give Him, what we give is not indicative of His love. We will not be loved more because we give, and we will not gain His attention because we sacrifice. Rather..it is in the moments of our offerings that for once....God finally has OUR attention. For once, our eyes have finally let go of the things of this world that tend to hold us back, and have become fixed on Him.
This, my friends, is the true meaning of sacrifice. Learning to let go so that we can be uninhibited in entering God's presence, in connecting with Him, in acknowledging who He is.
For some of us, this may mean "taking up" something rather than "Giving up". Spending time reading His words. Opening our heart to Him in prayer. Talking with Him. Walking with Him. Thinking of Him.
But no matter what you choose to do or not do during this season of Lent, remember that there is a God who loves you...waiting for you to enter into His presence and draw closer to His side. Because at the end of the day, what He really wants from you...is you.
[Join me in daily meditations during this season of Lent. Be on the lookout for guest posts by some very incredible men and women from all over the globe, from different denominations, all learning to draw closer to the heart of Jesus.]
thank you Deb..I'm glad I wasn't totally off track....I admit right now in my personal life I am very angry and disconnected from God...But stuff like your posts help me melt a little....I want to know that just by talking with him that he hears me .. that I don't have to do anything special to get his attention....even in the anger I want to know he see's and hears me.....Thank you...as always...XOXOXO
ReplyDeleteEvery year for Lent, my husband and I give something up. The season of Lent reminds us of the 40+ days and nights before the resurrection. Lent was a time of sacrifice for Jesus. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial.
ReplyDeleteAgain, this season coincides with the time when Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert. This is a time for Christians to reflect and have a deeper communion with our Lord. Coming closer. Coming back, if you will, as we have become more focused on worldly things that may not matter.
Example:
This year, my husband and I gave up watching TV for Lent. We plan to use all of the time we spend sitting in front of an electronic box, to pray, to figure out God's plan for us. We plan to read scripture and other books that will bring us closer to what is really important...GOD!
More examples:
If you give up sweets, coffee etc... save the money you would have spent and use it for your service to the community.
Bongo, thank you for your thoughts....so glad this post could bring you some relief. My prayer for you is that you pass through this season of anger and uncertainty and come out stronger on the other side. God Bless, and thanks for your faithful reading!
ReplyDeleteDoubleD, thanks for sharing such practical thoughts on ways to really take in this season of Lent. I appreciate hearing what others are doing. My prayer for you is that God draws you and your husband closer to each other and to Him as you seek His will for your lives. Thanks for reading:)
ReplyDeleteI think the greatest sacrifice that God would want from us is the conversion of our hearts to Him. God doesn't need any material offerings from us because he is the creator of everything ! If we sacrifice our sinful ways, that I think is the greatest offering we can make to God. Our hearts must yearn to know God more and more each day and to spend time with him and also to change and become better people.
ReplyDeleteTheresa I agree....I think you are right in saying that what He really wants is our hearts. There is nothing that we could give him that would take the place of who we are...beautiful thoughts, and I appreciate your sharing and your taking the time to read.
ReplyDelete