Meditating on Lent

One of the goals of Lent is purification. We are to examine our outward actions as well as our inward beliefs. One important task is to examine what occupies our mind. When we are not engaged in tasks, our minds default to particular thoughts and even songs. We find ourselves humming music and often we don't even realize it. Or perhaps we find ourselves rehearsing events or mulling over some problem. We let our minds wander and sometimes it serves to increase our stress. Some of the things we allow to occupy our minds are neither helpful or uplifting.

Instead of worrying about the next bill or humming the latest top 40 song, we should fill our minds with the things of God. Psalm 119:97: "O how I ^love Your law! It is my meditation all the day." The Psalmist actually delighted in thinking about God's Law all day. He would recite and think about God's word throughout his day. It was a comfort to him and strengthened his spiritual walk. We can find that same strength and comfort in God's word. How differently would we find our day if we were reciting Scripture or singing hymns throughout the day. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, ^whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is ^lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, ^dwell on these things."

In Lent we should examine what we are thinking about during our day. We need to fill our minds and hearts with the things of God. It will change not only how we view our day, but it will also change how we interact with others.

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