Lent is Done. Are You?

Liz Lampkin CNW Staff Writer

This coming Sunday, April 9th, is Easter/Resurrection Sunday. It is the celebration of the risen Christ. It’s the Sunday when families gather together to celebrate during family dinners, and honestly speaking it’s the one Sunday where attendance in church is at an all-time high. Easter Sunday represents so much for people across the globe, including the conclusion of the Lenten season. At the beginning of Lent (Ash Wednesday, February 22nd), believers everywhere were excited to make sacrifices in an effort to grow in their spirituality, get closer to Christ and emulate His fasting and praying before He went to the cross. People were intentional with their actions. Many remain steadfast and focused. Some may have given in and broken their fast and casually moved on with their usual routines and said that they’ll try again next year. While others may have faced challenges, they still continue to push through each day making an effort to successfully reach the end of the 40-day fasting period. As believers or churchgoers are preparing their lavish ensembles, hats, and hairdos, and even preparing to end their period of sacrifice, how many are preparing their hearts to continue their spiritual journey of becoming Christ-like or becoming closer to God?

On Easter/Resurrection, Sunday believers will break their fasting/period and return to habits they relinquished for 40 days. So if this is the case, what was the point of the sacrifice? Did it bring you closer to God? If so, then why revert back to the habit you let go or was the sacrifice superficial? As people return to their normal routines one can’t help but wonder if the sacrifice was one that focused on spiritual growth, if it was something routine that’s done each year for the sake of honoring routine, or was it a challenge created by church leaders to honor the Lenten season rather than honoring Christ’s sacrifice? If your journey of fasting ends on Easter Sunday and you want to continue, reshape/rethink your road to a deeper connection with Christ. If you don’t know where to begin, take a look at the steps below.

Begin planning for next year now! Rather than making a superficial sacrifice, think of a biblical characteristic you want to perfect in you, and one unChrist-like habit you want to purge. Write them both down side by side and then write ways you can implement the biblical trait you want to grow in into your daily life. On the other side, write ways you can stop exercising the habit you want to purge. Make sure the things you’ve listed on both sides are practical and make sense for your spiritual growth.

Find scriptures to read that will help you remain focused on your spiritual growth. Read them daily for understanding and application in your daily life.

For women interested in walking, in Chicago, and across the country GirlTrek not only has organized walks in a neighborhood near you. GirlTrek also has virtual events and in person meet ups to encourage women on their walking journey. Chicago GirlTrek organizer Keinika Carlton, shared that GirlTrek members “walk for mental health just as much as we walk for our physical health. A healthy mindset helps with having a healthy physical body. Self care is a priority.” Recently, GirlTrek chapters around the county participated in Harriet House parties to commemorate the 100th birthday of Harriet Tubman. Chicago area women can find GirlTrek on Facebook through the GirlTrek: Chicagoland group.

There are some other important things to consider when walking. If you chose to walk outside, make sure that you are in a safe area. Make sure that you have the proper footwear when walking to avoid injury. Don’t be hard on yourself if you miss a day or days. Take a few extra steps around the house or find a way to work in a little extra walking activity throughout your day. Make walking enjoyable. Add music, bring others and have fun. Try as much as possible to be consistent and stick to the routine. Remember this is about boosting your mental health. Walking is one of the easiest, no cost ways to improve your physical and mental health.