Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Traditionally, Catholics “give up something for Lent.” The practice is meant to bring one closer to God in two ways: first to separate oneself from worldly pleasures or crutches and second to experience some of the suffering Jesus endured for our sins. The most common things I’ve heard people give up over the years are chocolate or sweets, alcohol, soda, coffee, meat, sex, you know, all the things that make life fun. For years I’ve embraced this tradition because I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to be closer to God. Lent was actually the catalyst for the no carb diet that resulted in me losing a ton of weight a few years ago. This year, Lent kind of snuck up on me so this morning I’ve been reflecting on what I’ll be giving up this year. I promise when you ask God a question and sit with it, you can hear an answer. So here is what He gave me:
Give Up Playing Small
Give Up Your Comfort zone
Give Up Your Excuses
Give Up Your Limiting Beliefs
Well, um, ok. That’s not intimidating at all, right? I’ll be honest, my first reaction was, “Sorry I asked.” But He talked me down. Let’s look at it a little deeper. I believe in an abundant universe that will provide everything we desire. It’s in the bible. I promise.
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Isaiah 30:19
O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Matthew 7:8
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 18:19
Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.
Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer.”
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Luke 11:9
So I tell you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
John 14:13
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
See, told you. So this abundant universe, aka God, Love, the Creator, wants to give you everything your heart desires. So why are you still stuck in a rut? Because you’re not living your life on God’s frequency. You’re living with beliefs based on your current worldly situation, not on the beliefs we’re taught in the bible. So let today, the first day of Lent, bring you closer to God by getting closer to His frequency. Believe in all of the miracles Heaven has to offer. Jump out of your comfort zone and into your Father’s arms. You were meant for so much more than your limiting beliefs have held you to.
stacystark.net 