This Sunday night, a new series begins at Crash (the service that those of us who post here help lead). It’s called Six Weeks. And in conjunction with the Ash Wednesday Service tomorrow night, it begins a period known as Lent for us.

Traditionally, those who observe Lent as a period of preparation for the coming of Easter – those people give up something for six weeks or so. The idea is that you give up something significant to you that will allow you to open yourself up and focus on what is coming – the death and resurrection of Jesus. It’s the simple truth of fasting – its not about not eating or not texting; its about what happens in the space you create by fasting.

So, what is Scott doing for Lent? Well, he is giving up a habit and beginning a new discipline. During Lent, I will not needlessly stay up until 12am or 1pm watching House or blog-surfing or reading books for fun. I will go to bed when I am down with my homework (which I will do with the TV off).

This is going to be hard for me – this whole going to bed earlier and getting up earlier thing. It’s not “normal” for me. But I want to renew my commitment to spend time in the Scriptures each morning. I want to stop wasting so much of my morning. I want to spend more time with Dani. I want to create space for God to speak and work in my life in a new way. And I think is what I am supposed to do. Last night, I had one of those “God moments”. I was thinking about this as I drove home from class and then I sat down to read a book for another class – and the writer was speaking about rest and sleep and spending time in the morning in the Scriptures and prayer. I was like “Okay, God, I smell what you are stepping in.”

So, what about you? The next six weeks are waiting for you. What could do during Lent to prepare you for Easter, to create space for God to move? What will you surrender for six weeks?

-Scott