Phyllis Wilson ponders what she will give up this Lent. Could she actually give up Facebook?
Religion has it that Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter and the resurrection of Christ. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, at Lent, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteering and give of themselves for others. Lent lasts 40 days and is a time of self-examination and reflection. The 40 days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan.
I thought about my many blessings and what would I give up — then I tried to remember what I had done in years past. It was the normal fair of things: meat, cigarettes, shopping, desserts, and the like. I decided to look at what cravings I could give up, and I decided I would give up Facebook.
I had previously pondered giving up Facebook because it is so addicting, but I had so many friends and relatives on there, and that’s how we stayed connected so I stayed on. So I announced on Fat Tuesday that I would be off of Facebook for Lent and asked what they would be doing.
Some replied:
• “Me? No breads, crackers, chip or anything made with flour.”
• “Well, I was going give up pork but my apostial said give up something that will increase your walk in Christ so I’m still thinking.”
• “Eating out!”
Well, I had given up eating out since the recession, and pork was never in my diet, but not eating anything made with flour, oh my! Now, not wanting to judge, I thought maybe I was being too extreme with giving up Facebook! No chats, no birthday wishes, no thought-provoking messages or pokes. No chats with other writers, no fan pages or friend requests. This would also mean taking the Facebook alert off my smart phone, the same alert which notified me when someone posted something on my wall. Could I do this? And would it increase my walk with Christ?
So I decided to replace the time spent on Facebook with writing encouraging notes and letters by hand to my Facebook family and others. Scripture tells us Paul wrote letters to the Galatians and Corinthians , and I know that I still love getting personal letters and cards in the mail because that means someone took the time to actually think about me.
So I am off to the post office for a roll of stamps and off to writing I go! What will you give up?
Photo Credit
Recent Phyllis Wilson Articles:
- Dear Wayne
- What Is Your Greatest Strength?
- The Purpose of Life is a Life of Purpose
- Have You Checked In With The Person In The Mirror Lately?
- Soul Food
Every year I try to give up worrying and negative thinking. I still struggle every year.
I was going to the same, but then the earthquake and tsunami happened in Japan. i got so upset watching the news that I logged back in to see if some good friends of mine were ok. But it was good for a couple of days, I stopped obsessing over who “likes” what, and I stopped winding myself up over statuses which annoyed me!
Clare,
Glad to hear that you too stop obessing over FB! it is very addictive.
Phyllis