Lent Sacrifice?

Here we are at the start of Lent, the traditional time to make sacrifices for God as a way to pay Him gratitude for all He has done with us in mind.  It has become my own tradition that around this time of year, I assess my relationship with God and think about things in my day to day life that need a bit of tweaking.  In the past years I’ve given up watching FRIENDS (because it was becoming a reason not to deal with my issues, instead of turning to God), I’ve given up Facebook (because I spent more time on it than I did with God), I’ve made a list of things and people to pray for everyday…etc.  This time around, I think my biggest issue is having lukewarm faith.

When taking a shower, I actually want the water to be lukewarm.  I don’t want it too hot to where my skin feels like it’s boiling; however I don’t want it too cold to where I barely wash my hair because I’m in such a hurry to get out of there.  No, lukewarm is where it’s at.  It’s comfortable.  It doesn’t cause a big reaction.  But with my faith, lukewarm is lame.  It’s too comfortable, too mediocre, and as a result doesn’t produce a big response.  I’ve been going through the motions, and sometimes not even that.  I’ve been going to bible studies, leading bible studies, and leading kids in ministry, all the while losing motivation to work on my own relationship with God.  I've never lost the desire to be close with God, but the whole discipline aspect has gone absent from routine.  “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” James 4:8  Although that is one of my favorite verses to refer to when talking to someone about deepening their relationship with God, I have failed to listen to my own advice.  Therefore, with all of you to hold me accountable, I have vowed to spend intentional time with God everyday, through prayer and reading the Bible.  I think Lent is funny sometimes because if I only vowed to do this for 40 days, then do I go back to being lukewarm after?  I hope not!  My hope is that this will strengthen my love for the Lord and in turn, increase the amount of time I will want to spend with him! 

How did you decide what to do for Lent?