The age-old cliché states, “Third time’s the charm.” For my blogging endeavors, I hope the cliché holds true.
Lately, I have been thinking about how scattered my mind is. I am a naturally inquisitive person. I am a critical thinker. I love to know the way things work and why people think a certain way. I love to dialogue with others about faith, life, and current issues. When I read or hear things, I subconsciously have to question something. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I do find myself losing track of time or the ideas I once was questioning. So, in an attempt to organize my thoughts, be more productive with my mind, and to enter into ongoing conversations about any and everything, I have decided to venture back into the blogging world. This time, however, there is a new motivation.
This past Wednesday marked the beginning of the Lenten season. Unfortunately, the “busyness” of my life enabled Lent to sneak up on me. In the Baptist world we generally don’t make much of a deal of Lent. Fasting for 40 days is rarely discussed. However, I think fasting is an integral part of our Christian faith. Fasting occurs many times throughout the Bible and for numerous reasons. For every reason there is one primary purpose; that is to draw us into a place of weakness so that we may turn our focus to God. I would like to propose, however, that fasting does not necessarily have to mean removing something from one’s life. Last year, one of my professors, Dr. Allen, spoke on fasting in our Christian Ethics class. She suggested that fasting is not always the giving up of something; fasting is something that draws one closer to God. So, as the days since Ash Wednesday have passed, I have been thinking…questioning…praying. I have since determined that this year, I will not give anything up. Instead, I will only be adding something to my life. My Lenten fast will be to write, journal, and blog more. Why? Simply because I feel it is necessary to channel my thoughts more productively so that I may glorify the Lord. As a part of my Lenten fast, I ask you as my readers to keep me accountable. My prayer is that this will not just be a “40-day thing,” but that it will be a new spiritual discipline added to my life. If you live near me or have my number, text me if I fall behind in writing. Fortunately for you all, you won’t have to read all of my thoughts (that’s why I will be keeping a journal), but I do hope that for the thoughts you do read, you join in on the conversation with me.
So, here’s to hoping that the third time truly is the charm! Thanks for being a part of this journey.
“All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.” – Eccl 3:20
χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη (Grace and peace to you) – Michael
Michael Heredia 