On a rare occasion, I love to do what I hate to do. Not like the passage in Romans 7 where Paul talks about the stuff he wants to do he doesn’t do and the stuff he doesn’t want to do he is actually doing. I experience that all the time, but I am talking more about the love to do things that are really hard for me. Lent is one of those times. We talked about fasting on Sunday morning and again at MS:PM on Wednesday night, and I have felt compelled to give up some things that I really love - sweets and sodas. If you know me at all, you know that I have very little self-control when it comes to all things sugary. But for 40 days I have chosen to say no to my favorite Coke products, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, cookies, candy, and everything that falls into the dessert category. Already after one day it seems like I am seeing that stuff everywhere, but they serve as a reminder that that stuff doesn’t rule me. And while I hate giving it all up, I love it because it forces me to focus less on myself and what I want and instead it points me to God and considering how He would rather have me focus on Him.

 If you have been thinking about participating in Lent, you can check out PCC’s website at http://pccwired.org/sftoolbox/2008/01/28/2008-guide-for-lent/ to get more information. And make sure you have the right attitude about it all (see Matt 6:16-18 to see what Jesus says!)