Lent 2018
Name: Joyce Han
Lenten Commitment: Keep a QT journal.
For Lent this year, I decided to do a daily QT journal. At first, I wanted to make my life more organized since I am in high school now but I learned what Lent was really about – getting a stronger relationship with God.
Before thinking of what to do for Lent, I was a little lost and hopeless. I was struggling with my faith and kept doubting God in ways that would make me question my own identity as a Christian. At one point, I gave up doing my QT and praying. No matter how many times I opened my Bible, I could not make sense of it.
However, since Lent was a commitment I had to make, I decided to use it as an opportunity to strengthen my faith. At first, I expected it to be difficult and assumed I would give up easily, but I realized that I actually enjoyed journaling and that helped me through many struggles. I would not say that it has been easy but it was not as difficult as I thought it would be. I am very glad that I chose a commitment that helped me build a stronger relationship with God.
As the days go by, it is more enjoyable for me to be closer to God. I have not fully achieved my goal yet, but reading through my journal entries shows the progress I made by just talking to God.
Prayer is very important when building a relationship with God.
Lent is not over yet, but looking back on the last 30 days, I feel I have definitely strengthened my faith.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Phillipians 4:13
English Standard Version
This was a verse that I found when I opened my Bible to a random page. Through this, I recognized that I had been ignoring His messages and causing myself to doubt more. I did not have the strength to believe that God is almighty and powerful. Building a relationship with God made me do everything through Christ who gave me hope and strength.
I have learned that compared to Jesus, I am very weak. When difficult situations arise, I try to act strong and cover my weakness with my confidence. But now, I want to think about Jesus and how much He went through to protect our useless and weak selves and how He still loves us.
Even after Lent is over, I will continue to do daily QT journals, not because of my enjoyment of journaling, but to keep my relationship with God strong. I believe that when I get the chance to finish this month’s QT journals, I will achieve my goal of maintaining my faith.
Editor’s note: Joyce also wrote a Lent Reflection in 2017. To read that post, click here.
This post is a part of DSYG’s Lent Reflections series meant to educate and inspire readers on the season of Lent and its value in any Christian’s relationship with Christ. For more information on this series, click here.
To read more posts in this year’s series, click here.
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