Final Reflections of 40 Days of Intentional Living

It is Good Friday! Our 40 Days of Intentional Living during Lent is finished. Today, I feel like I felt after completely both of my degrees, which were incredibly challenging accomplishments for me in my 40’s! There it is again: The number 40! We just are not going to get away from that number during this Lent season. I feel overwhelmed, a little in shock, surprised, relieved, and HAPPY! It is a Good Friday, indeed! 🙂

 

God’s Invitation

God Himself invited me to a 40-day journey during this 2017 Lent season.

I wanted to experience something new with God. I wanted you on this journey. So I, in turn, invited you to join me. I invited you because I wanted you to experience something new with God too. I also wanted to lend my faith to you, encourage your heart, and inspire some grit.

By comments I’ve received, I think I’ve accomplished my goal. Guess what? I’ve experienced something new with God too.

These past 40 days have challenged my own faith, my own heart, and my own perseverance. I don’t think you know just how difficult this journey was for me.

I kind of consider myself a wordsmith, but today, I can’t even put into words the total impact this has had on me. I will say this, tears have flowed every single day, and I’ve shared openly I’m crying. I’ve been crying on and off all day today. In fact, I’m doing it right now.

These tears represent what’s going on in my inner most being. I don’t completely understand them myself, but God does. He’s just letting me cry.

“Overwhelmed” is probably the closest word I can come up with to describe my experience and my deepest feelings. I won’t ever forget this experience. And I know God doesn’t want me to forget.

This 40 Days of Intentional Living has changed my life. I’m glad I accepted God’s invitation to join Him on the journey. I’m glad you accepted my invitation to join me too.

It is Finished

It is finished, but it’s not over.

After suffering and being crucified at about the ninth hour, Jesus said,

“It is finished.”

With that, Jesus bowed his head, and He gave up his spirit (John 19:30, NIV).

We know Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We also know today, Good Friday, we remember this amazing demonstration of pure love.

We’ve been learning together how we can show Jesus we love Him. We obey Him. We’ve also been learning how to show others love. For 40 days God has taken us day by day on a journey. He led us all the way to the cross. Then He let us see the hope that comes from life with Jesus.

Even though today is Good Friday, I want to remind you, Jesus Lives!

He rose from the dead.

After His resurrection for the next 40 days Jesus appeared to His disciples and others. (Act 1:3). And yes, another 40-day journey!

My friends, we have lived 40 days purposefully refraining from some behaviors and attitudes and embracing others.

Living intentionally has been a part of each our lives. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I’ll ever be the same after these last 40 days.

It is finished.

And now, God says, it’s time to celebrate!

It’s Time to Celebrate!

The cherry blossom seemed like the perfect image today.

In Japan, the cherry blossom is more than just a beautiful flowering tree. I learned that every year the Japanese people really watch, wait, and anticipate the blossoming of the trees. When the trees burst forth their beautiful blooms, people gather together in large groups with their families and friends to view the flowers and to enjoy festivals with food, drink, and music. They celebrate!

I only shared this with a few people prior to today, but today, God invited me to fast. I have not eaten anything since last night.

He wanted me to truly reflect on this 40-day journey. He led me to read the book of Esther today. It’s one of my favorite Bible stories actually. I was surprised that’s where He led me because I thought He would take me to Matthew, Titus, or Timothy because that’s where He’s had me for much of these 40 days.

Here’s what He wanted me to know: after Queen Esther and the Jewish people’s 3 days of fasting to save them from death, they prepared for battle. They won by the way. Now listen to this:

“Then on the fifteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy” (Esther 9:18, NIV).

Um, April 15^th is tomorrow, my friends! How cool is that?

Okay, but here’s the bigger picture:  CELEBRATE!

We get to celebrate life, my friends. Queen Esther and the Jewish people were celebrating life.

This is Easter weekend. We are celebrating that Jesus rose from the dead, and He lives!

For 40 days I haven’t just been sacrificing my sleep and writing every morning before work. As you know, I’ve also been doing the Whole30 Program, which means I’ve refrained from eating many things:  sugar, gluten, non-gluten, dairy, legumes, and alcohol.

Tonight I will be attending my church’s Good Friday service and when it’s over, my 40 days and my fast are finished. I will celebrate with food, family, and a glass of red wine!

A New Beginning!

Lent season was a season of preparation for me. Thank you for joining me.

Now, God is using this to start a new beginning. I’ve accepted another offer of His. I will intentionally live for Him in my calling. I am a writer.

In this new beginning, He’s still not going to let me sleep in. Yes, I’m laughing and smiling too. I’ll still be getting up early to learn from Him and join with Him to work together to write. My early mornings will not be focused on writing a daily blog post, but rather preparing a book.

I will still write my weekly blog post and maybe occasionally I’ll slip in a mid-week thought or two, but for this next season, my primary focus will be writing my first book.

There are key people in my life who I know God Himself has placed around me to support me, encourage me, and believe in me. I am most grateful. I’ll be personally reaching out to you to let you know the impact you’ve made on my life. For now, I’ll just say thank you.

I Then Shall Live

I’ll end this reflection with a final revelation and prayer.

Two days before I began this 40 Days of Intentional Living, God brought to me a hymn I had never heard before. Every morning, before I began the process of listening for His instructions for the day, I would use the song lyrics as my prayer.

Once again, I invite you to join me. May this be your song and prayer every day going forward.

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven.
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child and I am not afraid.
So, greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother;
The law of love I gladly will obey.

I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion.
I’ve been so loved, that I’ll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I’ll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment,
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.

Your Kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.

Amen, Amen, Amen!

Blessing for You

[callout]The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:25)[/callout]