Welcome to the Lenten season. Though commonly recognized as a Catholic holiday, Christians of all denominations will take the next six weeks to focus on God. It’s a time when many of us will give up various things to draw closer to God. Some will fast from sweets, others will take a break from social media, but all with the same intent – self sacrifice in His name.

This is a time to refocus, live simply, pray often, and fast. It’s a time to realign our vision upward instead of outward.

While we may spend Lent differently, there is a common theme and bond we all share. One local church is joining together each Wednesday during Lent to offer soup and fellowship. Throughout the next few weeks, congregation members from Rochester Covenant Church are asked to simplify their homes and their lives, figuratively as well as literally.

If there is clutter in their lives that is distracting them from God, they’re asked to take the time to go through it. This goes for their hearts as well as their homes; it’s the epitome of spring cleaning – throw out the garbage.

If church members have things in their homes that are in good condition but they do not need, they’re asked to bring them to one of the Wednesday night soup dinners at the church to donate. The items will be given to the Rochester Salvation Army so that they can be repurposed to help others.

We challenge you to do the same thing. If people need help tackling not only their homes, but their hearts, it’s not something they have to do alone, reach out to one another and offer assistance.

It’s a simple concept; give up what you don’t need in order to give to others. Simplify your closet to ease the distractions in your life. Refocus your attention upward, and in the process find more peace and more time to serve our community as a community of believers.

If you feel compelled to clean out your closets and clear off your counters, make a difference in our community and do the most good when you give it to the local Salvation Army stores.

Originally posted on RochesterSA.org.