I've never given up anything for the Lenten Season...I'm not sure why. Maybe because I haven't fully embraced the mission of its purpose. And I should. I know I should. But I think much of what people give up for God, is in some way not enough. Maybe I have always believed there is nothing I could possibly give up for God that would be enough. Enough to equal the grace He pours onto me. If I were to try, I am destined to fail. Why is it even worth it, then?
I wonder what other thoughts I have taken in as truths, holding me captive in my own eternal prison. I am beginning to realize these beliefs are the very bars that keep me from reaching toward God's outstretched hands.
And it finally came to me... this new revelation.
They are lies.
The lies I keep believing over and over again.
Lies...
"I'm never ever going to be a 'good enough' Christian."
"How on earth can I represent His Holiness, when I am far from Holy?"
"How do I lead others in His Name, when I feel so incapable?"
"I can't pray, I'm just not in a good place."
"I'm too ashamed and tired and defeated to go to church."
"How can I be a good Christian, if my past reeks of sin?"
"I have nothing to offer, so I just won't give anything."
"I could never be as good a Christian as them."
"Why am I even trying?"
"I'll never get this whole faith thing right."
"I don't understand so many parts of the bible, I'm completely incompetent."
For Lent this year, I am claiming them all as that...
Lies.
And I am letting go of each and every one of them.
They are Satan's greatest weapons against God. His gunfire continues to shoot us down. He knows that the best way to keep us from our Loving Father is to hit us where we are most weak...
Our humanity.
The lies have seeped into our world like a rusty pipe draining fermented stinky sewage...drop by drop it saturates our hearts and severs the Heavenly Tie that bonds the Almighty with the fallen. The enemy is victorious in his fight over and over again.
Because we believe the lies...
"I'm not suitable for church."
"Christian people are so pushy and judgmental, this faith thing is definitely NOT for me."
"I just don't deserve God's Love."
"I am so far gone, God can't save me from this mess."
"I'm too angry, too hurt and God doesn't understand."
"Another fail, how dare I ask for His Grace again?"
"If all these bad things happen to me, there must not be a loving God."
"I hate where I'm at right now in my life, so forget God."
"God hasn't answered my prayers, He just doesn't care."
"I don't belong in those self-righteous circles."
"God-loving people are too good for me."
"God isn't for me, because there is no way I can meet all the requirements."
"All those Catholic/Christian rules are impossible to follow."
"I'm far from virtuous, so who I am to have a relationship with God?"
And God cries.
Because His Truth is thrown in the shadows of deception,
and His Love is churned into a twisted form of condition.
I can't help but wonder how many times He has cried out to His children, longing to love them...
Only to be denied by lies.
So during this Lenten Season, you may not see my sacrifice, because the battle will be raging on underneath life's surface, deep in the dark corners of my heart.
I will be soldiering off to war in this brutal combat- against the lies.
And I will fight them with truth. His Truth. And give up the Lies that keep me away from my loving merciful God.
Would you join me?
What lies do you believe? Will you give them up too?
John 1:3-5 Living Bible (TLB)
3 He created everything there is--nothing exists that he didn't make. 4 Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind. 5 His life is the light that shines through the darkness--and the darkness can never extinguish it.
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A version of this post was originally published over at TheMomCafe.com.