I gave up Netflix for Lent. It’s been easier than I expected, except when it’s been hard.
It’s been my distraction, you see. It’s been the escape-from-reality and the end-of-the-day reward. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little escaping and rewarding. But I know myself, and of all the things I considered fasting from, Netflix was the one that made me kind of sad. And that’s, well, kind of sad.
So I gave up Netflix. It’s my first time to practice Lent, let alone to fast from anything during Lent, and it’s been slow and deep and kind of beautiful in ways I didn’t even know to expect. I had no clue, basically.
I signed up for an N.T. Wright online Lenten devotion, and together he and I and the book of Matthew have been making our way through the season. Slowly and carefully, like picking our way down a pebbled path, looking for wild flowers that might be growing along the edges. It’s really been a lovely walk.
And Netflix? Mostly, Netflix has been replaced with reading or visiting or watching movies with the family. Mostly, it’s been a fairly easy temptation to resist. Easier than I expected.
But the other night, after tossing about for hours and finally relocating to the downstairs sofa, I gave in. I tapped the app button on my phone and looked through the menu options and feasted on three episodes of a show I’d been watching before the whole Lent thing started. I caved, big time.
I’ve been trying to feel guilty about it, but you know what, I really don’t. I’m not sure what that says, exactly. I guess I’ve decided it’s not about perfection. I know I am weak. I’m totally the follower fretting in the storm while Jesus sleeps, or sleeping in the garden while Jesus prays.
This morning, N.T. and Matthew and Jesus and I picked up where we’d left off. And you know what? It’s still beautiful.
March 18, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Isn’t that the whole point of it – that we can start again? (As long as we don’t fall into the “I’ll repent on Sunday” kind of thing).
March 18, 2015 at 12:29 pm
Exactly
March 18, 2015 at 12:46 pm
The interesting thing about Lent is that it is a 40 day fast, in a 43 day period. It has 3 built in “opt out” days, so you can backslide if you need to and not feel guilty. So count that one off. You have 2 more to go. God bless.
March 18, 2015 at 12:55 pm
See, I told you I was clueless:)
March 18, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Our minister has not encouraged us to “give up” things for Lent, but rather add something like you did – more devotion time, prayer time, or even that positive people time that we sometimes neglect. So I do not think you crashed and burned at all! I think you are right on track.
God Bless You!
Linda
March 18, 2015 at 3:15 pm
Thanks:) I am enjoying this little journey. There’s always so much to learn!
March 18, 2015 at 4:10 pm
I so agree Janelle. We are so worried about perfection but what Lent and the giving up of things makes me know is that I need God and I need grace!
March 20, 2015 at 11:13 am
I gave up chocolate, but i added a twist, I also did it for Dechox month to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. I have not given in, not even to a hot chocolate, but i have been tempted everywhere i go there is chocolate right now.