What’s crazy about the season of Lent this year is I’ve already realized I’ve been doing it wrong my whole life. Usually I give up something every year that is something sacrificial and hard, but I’ve always had the wrong heart behind it. I give something up just for the sake of the sacrifice when it’s never been about the sacrifice but should have been about my love for God. Not only that, but I’ve always approached the season with what I think I need to sacrifice instead of asking God what He thinks.
When we were arrived in Rwanda about a week ago, I felt the Lord say to me are you willing to give me everything, give up all of yourself? I was reading from a Lenten devotional that my friend Claudia sent me. It read, “Rather than dealing with a particular sin, or gritting our way through a tough season, or relegating our relationship with God to Sundays and spiritual concepts, I wonder what it would be like if we gave Him everything. Not only the things we want to do, or areas we think need attention, but allow Him in to save even the places where we feel most vulnerable and weak. What if we thought of these moments of emptiness and need as entry points for allowing God in, an opening up the doors of our hearts to let Him into every nook and crevice so He could inhabit every aspect of our lives, even the parts we are scared to let Him (or anyone) into? What if this Lent we didn’t just give up our gossip, our chocolate addiction, our attachment to alcohol, but instead, we gave Him everything?”
I thought to myself well yeah, Lord, I want to give you everything.
In that moment, God asked me for this Lent season and for the rest of the race to drop my big pack with all of my stuff. Not because it’s a sacrifice to drop stuff, but because he wants me to have a physical sacrifice representing the internal surrender to Him. This season of Lent He has asked me to give him everything, everything I am, expectations, sins, desires, wants and needs. I pray that acting in obedience of giving up my pack and all my stuff will allow me to fully lay down myself and not just give God a part of me, but all of me.
For it says in Hosea 6:6:
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Love you girl! Praying that God will use this lent season for so much in and through you!
WOW!!! What a wonderful reminder. Thank you for your obedience to the Father Caroline and for your transparency in sharing what He is doing in and for you!
Yep, that’s it. die to self. Take up that Cross! God bless you Caroline.
You are very brave and we are so proud of your heart, your witness and your service
Okay but this is incredible
I agree, I feel as if I was doing Lemt all wrong! Chip, on Ash Wednesday, he explained different ways to celebrate Lent. I fully understand giving it all to God! Miss and love you!
What you gained from that sacrifice was awesome!