Hi y’all! It’s been a little bit since I’ve written a post on something other than singleness or relationships, but preparing my heart for Easter and the whole season of Lent is something close to my heart. I wanted to get on here and share more about what Lent is, what I’m doing for it, why I’m doing it, and also share an amazing resource!
What is Lent?
Before I talk about how I am specifically preparing my heart for Easter, I wanted to address what Lent even is. Lent is the 40 days before Easter Sunday, starting on Ash Wednesday. Sundays during the 40 days do not count.
This is a time when Christians prepare their hearts and souls for Easter Sunday by focusing on Jesus and what He has done for us. According to the article I linked above, Lent is a time of “reflection and repentance.” Typically, people choose something to give up so that they can focus more on Jesus. A lot of times they are idols in their lives or something they use for comfort or entertainment, such as social media, makeup, or chocolate.
Of course, Lent is not something Christians are required to celebrate! Salvation is by faith alone. However, I have found that observing Lent helps me prepare my heart so much more for Easter and gives me a much needed reset.
So how am I preparing my heart for Easter?
Last year, I gave up Instagram for Lent. If I’m being honest, I didn’t think that I’d be able to do it haha! 40 days without social media?? Plus, that’s one of my primary tools for blogging! But God clearly impressed upon my heart that Instagram was an idol in my life and I needed to give it up in order to focus on Him.
So I did it and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done, hands down. It gave me so much more time to focus on Jesus and Easter, and it also showed me how much of an idol I had made Instagram. It helped so much with my struggle with comparison, and I felt so much more joyful and present in my everyday life.
As I said, Lent normally starts on Ash Wednesday, so I did miss the beginning of the 40 days. This semester has been so busy and I didn’t take enough time to pray about what God wanted me to do this year. This week is my spring break though, so I’ve had time to pray about it!
Again, I’ve decided to give up Instagram, along with all social media this time. I did find myself filling some of the time I would spend on Instagram with other social medias last year, and I don’t want to do that this year.
I want to clear my mind and be able to focus on Jesus as Easter approaches, and I’m so excited to see what God does during this time! While I am off of social media, I want to spend more time praying and studying God’s Word, and just spending time with Him. I would love to write more, whether that’s just journaling or if it is blogging.
Oh and just for full transparency, I may get on social media a couple of times just to post for birthdays or to let y’all know if I write a new blog post. Didn’t want y’all to think I abandoned this decision if you see a post haha!
An amazing resource I am using this year!
This year, I am also using a Lent devotional and I am SO excited about it! It is called Journey to the Cross: Forty Days to Prepare Your Heart for Easter, written by the community over at (in)courage. Everyday has something different, whether it’s a devotional, a Scripture passage, or questions for reflection.
I know the journal has already started, but I think it is still worth it to order this book and go through it. Some days are shorter so you could double up! I started it a little late also, so we can catch up together š It’s helped me so much to focus on Easter and what Jesus has done for me.
Also, it is beautiful. The images, illustrations, and fonts are so well done, and the pages are amazing quality. I highly recommend!
To order it, you can click here! As of the time of me writing this post, I think you can use the code FAITH25 for 25% off, plus it has free shipping! It’s also on Amazon.
Disclaimer: I received this book from B&H Publishing Group/LifeWay in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.
Well I hope you enjoyed this look into how I am preparing my heart for Easter! I will be sharing how it went over on Instagram when it’s over if you’d like to follow up with me!
How are YOU preparing your heart for Easter? Are you giving up anything for Lent?
With all my love,
Tags : devotion, easter, encouragement, lent
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