Lent

I was planning on observing Lent. Not as an actual suffering observance. More so, I was going to observe it as a convenience. I was going to give up eating meat because I'm not a big meat person. My roommate is Catholic & she wanted something that would cause a lot of suffering for her (meat).

This morning at church, we studied Matthew 16:23-17:23. We talked about the suffering of being a Christian and how it is essential and very necessary. My pastor referenced Matthew 19:23. He made a very big point that I think everyone else may know but that I never realized.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven."

In this passage, Jesus is not talking about money. Most people I've heard talk about this have referenced it to money. He means if you are rich with the things of the world; if you indulge yourself with the ways of the world & do not long CONSTANTLY for the Kingdom of Heaven, you will have a hard time getting there. Suffering the ways of the world, facing sin every day and forcing yourself to not seek the pleasures of the flesh, is inevitable in a Christian life.

In order to know Christ, you must know the cross.

So for lent, I am giving up complaining. Some may look at this sacrifice & say that I should give that up anyways. I need to stop complaining everyday. But it is my comfort. When I'm having a hard time, it is a comfort of mine to complain. It is for this reason that I will be giving it up for Lent.

If you are around me hold me accountable, please. :)