Giving Up For God
Friends are giving up things like coffee, chocolate, wheat and social media.
Reference: “This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the Lord is to be on your lips. For the Lord brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand.” Exodus 13:9 NIV
Explore: At the time of writing this we are currently in the season of Lent. This is the 40 day lead up to Easter where people reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made.
Often people will give up something as part of their reflection and connection to Christ. I have a number of friends who are giving up things like coffee, chocolate, wheat and social media.
An old neighbour I was chatting to told me she had given up chocolate for Lent. I hadn’t realised she was such a fan of chocolate but realised she must have been. It’s no point giving up something, to experience sacrifice, if you won’t miss it.
While this time of sacrifice is important for self reflection it also serves as a great witness to friends and family.
When you give up something you like everyday then you would constantly have the opportunity to share your Lent sacrifice with the people you meet.
Application: When the Israelites were escaping from Egypt God instructed them to not eat yeast for 7 days and then finish with a festival to God. In doing so annually, they were reminded of what God had done for them. They were also reminding their children and passing on the story of God’s faithfulness to His people.
Our religious activity is important for our connection to God but can also serve as an example to others. Even just telling people you went to church on Sunday often opens up the conversation about why you go and therefore why you believe in God.
While our whole lives should be an example that highlights God to non-believers, it’s good to have times where, as a larger body of believers, we show the world of what God has done for us.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness and commitment to us. May our whole lives speak of Your love and grace to all people. Amen.
How would non-believers see God through your life?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.