To put it simply, I didn't decide to sacrifice anything for lent. I thought about it during the days prior, but I couldn't think of anything that would be worthwhile to surrender. Pathetic? Maybe.
I guess I just didn't want to decide to give something up, then back out half way through. I also didn't know what exactly to sacrifice. Thus, Ash Wednesday came and left and I didn't have a game plan. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a slight bit guilty. My need to control and plan everything in the weeks ahead hindered my ability to surrender just one thing for 6 weeks. However, there was another factor.
For some unknown reason, the idea of giving up something for lent just didn't sit well with me this year. I'm not against the process of sacrificing something during the 6 weeks before Easter. Actually, I applaud the people who sacrifice TV, Facebook, food, or something else to channel more focus towards God. Go team!
However, even though I applaud those sacrificial individuals and don't find their decision wrong, I still didn't feel comfortable with making a sacrifice I wasn't even sure I should make.
Days passed. Lent ensued. Guilt remained. I felt like I needed to do something, but I knew that sacrificing wasn't it. After much thinking, a thought popped in my head...
What if instead of NOT doing something during lent, I DID something?
Huh. I see you want to switch it up a little bit, self. More thinking commenced, and I eventually concluded to do 2 things during the 4 weeks remaining until Easter. My first goal I'm sadly not talking about here, perhaps I'll write about it on a different post. The second thing, however, is the reason why I'm writing this entry.
With God's probing, I invented a mission. Allow me to introduce you to
Operation: Driven Prayer.
Here are the basics:
- This occurs from now until Easter Sunday, March 31st. That's about 4.5 weeks.
- If I'm driving by myself, I pray. The whole time. Talking. Listening.
Therefore,
- No music.
- No radio.
- No phone calls.
- Basically, no audio anything.
- If I'm driving with someone else in my car, I won't make it a designated focused prayer time. However, I still want to stay away from music so that I can have a solid, intentional conversation with whoever is occupying the seats in my car.
- These rules don't apply if I'm a passenger in someone else's car, only if I'm the one driving.
That's about it! I embarked on this adventure a couple days ago and I have to say, it's amazing. I'm already seeing a difference in my heart. This designated prayer time in my car forces me to turn my thoughts and focus towards God.
All this being said, if you drive and find this intriguing, I highly encourage you to join me! Maybe you were like me and wanted to do something for lent, but didn't know what to do. If that's the case, perhaps this is your solution! Maybe you're in the midst of sacrificing something for lent, but would like to add this as well. If that's the case, why not try it? Maybe you didn't even give lent a thought this year until now. If that's the case, I encourage you to give this some thought!
Also, you don't need to follow the exact rules I set for myself. You can adjust it or switch it up a bit if you like to make it work better for you!
I really think God will do some powerful things in the next 4 weeks, and beyond, if we take this challenge seriously. Like I said, I'm only a couple days into this and I'm finding it's worth it. A few people have already joined me in my Operation: Driven Prayer challenge! How cool would it be to know there were individuals, who made the same commitment as you, to pray every time they drove their car? If you join us, you won't be alone!
Well? If you're up for the challenge, then welcome to Operation: Driven Prayer!
May God bless you and use you these next four weeks as you make your car a sanctuary!!!
