"Meat. It's NOT What's for Dinner"

Lent begins today and, honestly, I am quite excited about it.

The older I get, the more I have grown to appreciate the lenten season. I remember growing up, easter was that "day of the year" you wear the new tie, go to church and become overwhelmed with the smell of easter lillies, which, I am not convinced that they smell very pleasant anyway (Am I alone in this thought?)

But easter is so much more than that. Lent, for me, is a walk with Christ through what He did for each of us on the cross. Holy week has become a journey for me. From passion Sunday with the praise and rejoicing, to Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and ending with the BEAUTY and UNASHAMED rejoicing on Easter Sunday morning recognizing that Christ HAS RISEN, He has risen, INDEED!

So with Lent comes the question, "What do I give up this year?" I haven't always participated in the 40 day fast of something. Only within the past 5 years or so have I started really recognizing this. And I might also add, who says you HAVE to give up SOMETHING? One year my wife and I took ON the task of having a daily devotion with one another. It was committing TO something and not giving something up. That is a beautiful thought, the thought of committing to something.

This year, Nycki and I are giving up meat and going vegetarian for 40 days. Honestly, I am excited about the thought. Of course, I am excited and it is day one. Ask me again in 20 more days.

Now I hesitated to type this out because it is not in the spirit of, 'my lenten give up is better than your lenten 'give up'. But here is what I would ask of you. 

Walk the journey with Christ this lenten season. Don't just look up Easter Sunday and say, 'oh yeah. That thing Jesus did, did happen." 

Breathe it. Walk it. Take your time in the journey and what awaits you on the other side, I have no doubts, is a total blessing.

Know that you are never alone on the journey, my friends!

Grace and Peace!

Mark