How You Can Change Things Up This Lent

What are you giving up this Lent?  That seems to be the question most people ask during this time of year.  But, is that the right question?

What if there were different questions we needed to ask this season?  What if the focus were a little different?  What if the questions we needed to ask were:

WHERE DO I NEED TO SHUT OFF THE NOISE?

Busyness doesn’t care that it’s Lent.  In fact, it can get even busier during this season.  Avoid burnout by looking at pruning what you do.  That might mean:

• Creating a STOP DOING LIST.

• Placing more margin in your schedule.

• Turning off technology at key times.

• Enjoying the gift of silence.

Use this opportunity to slow yourself down so that you can finish the school year on a strong note.  Not only will you find rest, but strength to keep going.

HOW IS MY PRAYER LIFE LACKING?

As you try to help the next generation go deeper it’s easy to lose site of your own spiritual journey.  Use this Lent to look at your own spiritual journey by:

• Looking at new habits to shake up your discipleship.

• Working with a mentor or spiritual director.

• Taking time to process where you are through journaling.

• Picking up a book that’ll help you explore a new way of looking at Christ.

Don’t forget to invest in yourself.  Lent is a time of deep spiritual renewal that can positively impact your ministry for the long haul.

WHO DO I NEED TO INVEST IN?

Is there someone in your ministry you need to take deeper?  Lent is the perfect time to take a regular volunteer and grow them into a strong leader. Take the opportunity to personally invest in them by:

• Inviting them into your personal prayer journey.

• Equipping them with tools and resources.

• Putting together a mini retreat that will fuel them.

People are more prone to go deeper in their discipleship during this season.  Take advantage by intentionally investing in key leaders.  Not only will they value your investment, but they’ll take your ministry to a new level.

Avoid the mundane by asking some different questions this Lent.  Challenge yourself to grow in new ways so that you can approach your ministry in a new light.  In the end, you’ll find yourself hitting new heights.