Tomorrow is the official beginning of the season of Lent – forty days of fasting (in various forms) and reflection in preparation for Easter.

Growing up in a small Baptist church, we didn’t “give up” things for Lent. At least not like my Catholic friends who couldn’t eat meat on Fridays, gasp!

As an adult, I’ve begun to look at this season differently. It just never felt right to give up sweets, caffeine, etc. To me, that felt more like a diet plan to prepare me for summer than something to grow my relationship with Jesus. Maybe that’s just me?

My success has always come from adding something to my daily life. The last couple of years I’ve done a gratitude challenge. I highly recommend it, it was so powerful! You can read more about it here.

This year I’m trying something completely different and I’m so excited about it. I’m going to commit to read the Sermon on the Mount every day during Lent.

Some background on my choice. In one of my Bible studies, we are studying Kristi McLelland’s study entitled, Jesus and Women. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s my favorite Bible study I’ve ever done hands down. My mind is completely blown every week. Kristi has an amazing way of re-telling familiar stories in the New Testament that prove how much Jesus loves and cares about women. It’s a phenomenal study.

Of course, I had to research Kristi to see what other magic she’s published, I just can’t seem to get enough of her. She’s recently begun a podcast called “Pearls” (check this out immediately, it’s so good!). In her first episode, she told a story about a friend’s thirteen-year-old daughter who asked Kristi to baptize her. Kristi agreed only if this young lady would commit to reading the Sermon on the Mount every day for thirty days (with a weekly ice cream “meeting” to discuss it).

If you’re not familiar with the Sermon on the Mount, it is in the book of Matthew, chapters 5-7 (also mentioned in Luke, but I’ll be reading Matthew’s version). Jesus preached a sermon that taught the people how to live a life pleasing to God. It is where you’ll find The Lord’s Prayer and the Beatitudes as well as several parables (a story told to teach a lesson).

Kristi said it changed both of their lives. In preparation for baptism, this young girl was reading her Bible every day (win!) and hearing Jesus teaching the words intended for all people of all nations to abide by. .

Spiritual preparation. Repetition. The word of the Lord living inside of me.

It’s exactly what I need for the next forty days.

Does anyone care to join me?

Until Next Time,

Neko