I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I’m ready for Lent to start. I’m ready to begin my social media fast.

I’m in no way fed up with Facebook or done with Instagram. I actually love interacting with friends and seeing all the funny and creative gifs. There’s so much on there that can keep me occupied for hours and hours . . .

And there’s the problem. Lent is when I get my time back. Lent is me having more time to pray, to meditate, to sit still in the silence, to just be. I break my habit of picking up my devices every five minutes to see the latest posts or to see who liked my last offering.

I don’t get nearly as anxious from social media as I used to, but Lent is still a time for me to breathe more freely and to slow down and savor the moments of life more. I can actually pick up those things with pages called books and actually read one. Or two.

It’s where I make margin in my day and room in my thoughts to hear from God. My mind is less cluttered, less frantic, and more filled with peace and joy.

Some people fast from television. Some from sweets. Some, like me, from social media. It’s beautiful to be able willingly to sacrifice for a season to make room for God’s presence and God’s voice. I can’t pretend to understand all the ramifications from fasting, but I know that it is God-honoring and God honors those who honor Him.

Even if you don’t choose to do a Lent fast, I encourage you to take time away from phones and devices and social media and all things electronic. Give your brain time to rest and refresh. Go out in nature and enjoy what God has made. All that Facebook stuff will still be there when you get back.