Folks, we’ve officially reached the slog portion of Lent. Is that blasphemous for me to say? Maybe. But it’s the honest truth. I am grasping at straws right now to keep the motivation going. Hence this tardy submission…
It’s so interesting how ebbing and flowing our interest can be. Not three days ago, I was cranking out devotionals like my life depended on it, yet today, I could hardly find the motivation to begin writing.
It makes you wonder, why do we stay the course?
For one thing, it’s peer pressure. I’ve told people that I’m publishing a daily blog post for Lent, and I’d rather power through than be made to feel a failure.
Then there’s the (albeit sometimes faint) glimmer of reason as to why you began this journey in the first place. Hoping to hone my author skills and grow in exploring faith through narrative, this precedent has centered me when I feel wayward, pointing me toward a higher purpose than just checking it off my to-do list.
Finally, and most importantly, I think we hold tight to commitments because the Bible tells us to do so. In 2 Timothy 1:6-7, Paul speaks of such dedication: “6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
We are made of stronger stuff than our own fleeting distractions or doubts. In “remembering to fan into flame the gift of God,” our determination points toward a larger, worthier picture. Suddenly, writing a daily passage…or volunteering for that service project…or calling your friend back…or even just pausing to pray for that person causing you grief…it gets us out of the slog and back to power, love, and self-discipline.
Food for thought: What’s a task that you feel is weighing you down? How can your change your outlook?
Rachel Fisher 