Five Days

Is 5 days long enough to make a decision that will change your life?

This question was met with an almost unanimous "No". Five days is not nearly enough time. All the choices and consequences must be weighed.

What was not realized was that at the time there were only five days left of Ordinary Time before Lent began. There is now less time, in fact, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday (I hope you're ready!). But how often do we really consider what we choose to give up or do extra for Lent as a life changing decision. How often do we think and think, prepare ourselves days or weeks ahead, and at the end of the 40 days, we're just glad we can get on facebook again or drink soda because our Lenten commitment causes no real sacrifice. Or at the other end of the spectrum, we realize it's Ash Wednesday, make a quick decision, and experience a truly profound 40 days.

"In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons, "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines"..."At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it." (Hebrews 12: 4-7, 11)

It is not our physical blood we're called to shed in this day, it is our reliance on all that is not God. We are called to discipline ourselves, as God disciplines His followers when necessary, so that our wills, which long for God, rule our bodies and minds. It's difficult, painful even, but through discipline we grow and come to know Christ more fully. This is why we fast, why we sacrifice, why we give of ourselves. It's not meaningless ceremony and rules. Lent, and any time of fasting, penance, and sacrifice, is an incredible opportunity to unite ourselves to Christ's suffering and sacrifice on the cross by giving something up that takes our time and mind from God, as well as to unite to the carrying of the cross by doing something extra, going the extra mile in our prayer life or in our charity towards others.

So is 5 days long enough to make a choice that will change your life? More than enough. It only takes a second to say yes. All you have to do is choose something, after that you just have to tell God yes. It will take work, it will be difficult, but you've chosen. And the difficulty is how we know that it will be worth it because "whom the Lord loves, he disciplines." And if we do it right, in the end, thanks to His grace, we will see the face of God.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Lent is beginning. Whatever you've decided, or will decide, to commit to this Lent, big or small, make it count. LET IT CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOR GOOD, for the better.

God bless and much love