To Give Up or Add

The last time I wrote a blog entry, I mentioned my Bible study’s “24-Hour Sabbath Challenge,” where we all decided to give up something in order to gain spiritual insight. We asked each other, “Can we try something sacrificial for one day and see how it feels, see if we can use the time we have momentarily gained to connect with God?” Well, I both succeeded and I failed. I was successfully able to avoid going on Facebook for three days – no checking my friends’ posts, no finding myself comparing my life to someone else’s, no becoming a “fan” of this or that, no friendly cyber banter. And I really didn’t miss it. Yet, was it productive – spiritually productive – if I still didn’t use the time I spend on Facebook (about ten minutes a day) to talk to God, listen, meditate, read the Scriptures? What, then, was the point of my mini Sabbath?

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, a day of reflection and repentance as we start the slow, mindful walk towards Easter. When I first became a Christian seven years ago, I started exploring different things I could “give up for Jesus” in honor of His sacrifice for me. I tried giving up chocolate, pop, complaining, listening to the radio in my car; all were good practices of denying something minimal. But what did I – or more importantly my relationship with Jesus – gain?

C.S. Lewis, the great English professor, writer, and theologian, was once asked, “What is your view of the daily discipline of the Christian life - the need for taking time to be alone with God?” He responded, "We have our New Testament regimental orders upon the subject. I would take it for granted that everyone who becomes a Christian would undertake this practice. It is enjoined upon us by Our Lord; and since they are His commands, I believe in following them. It is always just possible that Jesus Christ meant what he said when He told us to seek the secret place and to close the door."

According to The Table's Discipleship Map, I am in a period of “resting.” I’m not always thrilled about reading the Bible and I am finding it difficult to pray. And yet I believe and I want to move past resting into a new phase. So instead of giving up something for Lent, I am going to read the Bible. Just a little bit. Everyday. Because I am a Christian.

Jennifer Johnson serves as Publications Coordinator at CPC and is part of the Table Team

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