FIRST THINGS
Lent is a season to change your life! Jesus went into the desert for forty days to prepare for his public ministry. The number 40 is prominent in scripture for the amount of time needed to go from one life to another: the flood lasted forty days, the Israelites wandered in the desert 40 years, Elijah journeyed forty days before he heard the still, soft, voice. This Lent, we too can journey into a desert and change our life by letting go of distractions and drawing closer to God.
Your Body is a Temple
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What does this passage have to do with Fiat 40? Most of us would like to have a closer relationship with God and be a better friend, sister, & daughter. However, we feel that we just don’t have enough time in the day to do all the things we need to do. Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that too much of our days are spent consuming social media, Netflix shows, stopping at Starbucks, etc.
How did this happen? The marketers who have created the social media platforms, Netflix shows, and the constant specialized advertising know how to grab our attention and get us to click. Yet, these marketers aren’t really selling their products, they’re buying our devotion. They spend copious amounts of money researching ways to get us to come back and spend time on their sites or money in their stores. They’ve bought residence in our hearts. This Lent, let Jesus help you to reclaim your heart and to re-dedicate it to God and your loved ones.
When Jesus went to Jerusalem and found merchants and money-changers in the Temple, he was so angry that he made a whip of cords and drove them out, overturning their tables. “Take these things away; you shall not make my Father’s house into a den of thieves!” They said to him, “What sign have you to show us for doing this?” And Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” He was speaking, of course, of his own body.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What does this passage have to do with Fiat 40? Most of us would like to have a closer relationship with God and be a better friend, sister, & daughter. However, we feel that we just don’t have enough time in the day to do all the things we need to do. Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that too much of our days are spent consuming social media, Netflix shows, stopping at Starbucks, etc.
How did this happen? The marketers who have created the social media platforms, Netflix shows, and the constant specialized advertising know how to grab our attention and get us to click. Yet, these marketers aren’t really selling their products, they’re buying our devotion. They spend copious amounts of money researching ways to get us to come back and spend time on their sites or money in their stores. They’ve bought residence in our hearts. This Lent, let Jesus help you to reclaim your heart and to re-dedicate it to God and your loved ones.
When Jesus went to Jerusalem and found merchants and money-changers in the Temple, he was so angry that he made a whip of cords and drove them out, overturning their tables. “Take these things away; you shall not make my Father’s house into a den of thieves!” They said to him, “What sign have you to show us for doing this?” And Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” He was speaking, of course, of his own body.
With baptism we all become part of his body. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit! But we have allowed these merchants to set up shop. These thieves have turned our attention and time away from loving God and others and, instead, we spend our time consuming their products.
Lent is a time to act decisively. Cast out the merchants that take shop in your heart. Delete the apps from your phone; refuse to spend your money on the latest fashion or fancy coffee. Ask Jesus to cleanse your heart and consecrate yourself to our loving Father. St. Paul implores us, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:1-2
Your body is sacred, your time is sacred, and your affection is sacred. Yet, there are those who want to turn them into a marketplace. Cast them out and don’t be gentle. Cast them out and rededicate yourself to God and his holy will.
Lent is a time to act decisively. Cast out the merchants that take shop in your heart. Delete the apps from your phone; refuse to spend your money on the latest fashion or fancy coffee. Ask Jesus to cleanse your heart and consecrate yourself to our loving Father. St. Paul implores us, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:1-2
Your body is sacred, your time is sacred, and your affection is sacred. Yet, there are those who want to turn them into a marketplace. Cast them out and don’t be gentle. Cast them out and rededicate yourself to God and his holy will.
ARE YOU READY FOR THE CHALLENGE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE?
If you would like the Fiat 40 journey, your are invited to create your own sorority of sisters (5-7 people) and keep in contact with each other through a group text and regular meetings throughout Lent and use this website throughout your journey.
MEN:
Before you begin Fiat 40, check out Exodus 90 for a more intense challenge.
Exodus 90 is a life changing challenge designed for men.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." - Psalm 18:2 |