into the year and most of us have already forgotten our New Year's Resolution (that is if we made any... which I have chosen not to for a variety of reasons)and so appropriately have the motivation to jump on the Lenten bandwagon of sacrifice. The failed resolutions have brought added weight, added debt, bad habits... and so the hope of a short break from those will make us feel better about what we easily tossed aside. It is that laxidasical attitude towards lent that has more or less left a bad taste in my mouth.
Lent is to be a season of preparation, of fasting, growth, and simplicity. Lent is supposed to be a reminder of Jesus' 40 days in the desert, resulting temptation and fast... and we choose to give up our favorite treats and snacks. How are these sacrifices even comparable to the torture that Jesus went through? It seems that all too often, our sacrifices are "me" centered and are chosen to benefit ourselves (how often do you hear that someone is giving up pop or gum or *insert addiction* b/c they know they shouldn't be consuming that amount of given item?) Isn't there more to Lent than giving up coffee for 40 days?
It is too easy to eliminate something negative if in the end, there is an ultimate benefit. However, how many people would willingly give up those items knowing they were giving them up indefinitely and then taking the money spent on those items and donating it to those in need? It isn't quite as easy when the "me" is taken out of the equation and replaced with "you" or "others".Lent is not our chance to ask ourselves where we need to sacrifice for a better "self" for 40 days, but instead to ask where we can sacrifice and in turn help others, where we can reach out and share the love of Christ to another.
Instead of "taking away" this Lenten season, I challenge you to "add on more" ( < = > ) but in the form of love, of giving, of branching out and looking for where you can give more than just another "resolution" that will tossed aside come April 5th. Make a change for a lasting impact... something that will last long beyond the candy that will fill the Easter baskets this coming Easter morning.
Lent is to be a season of preparation, of fasting, growth, and simplicity. Lent is supposed to be a reminder of Jesus' 40 days in the desert, resulting temptation and fast... and we choose to give up our favorite treats and snacks. How are these sacrifices even comparable to the torture that Jesus went through? It seems that all too often, our sacrifices are "me" centered and are chosen to benefit ourselves (how often do you hear that someone is giving up pop or gum or *insert addiction* b/c they know they shouldn't be consuming that amount of given item?) Isn't there more to Lent than giving up coffee for 40 days?
It is too easy to eliminate something negative if in the end, there is an ultimate benefit. However, how many people would willingly give up those items knowing they were giving them up indefinitely and then taking the money spent on those items and donating it to those in need? It isn't quite as easy when the "me" is taken out of the equation and replaced with "you" or "others".Lent is not our chance to ask ourselves where we need to sacrifice for a better "self" for 40 days, but instead to ask where we can sacrifice and in turn help others, where we can reach out and share the love of Christ to another.
Instead of "taking away" this Lenten season, I challenge you to "add on more" ( < = > ) but in the form of love, of giving, of branching out and looking for where you can give more than just another "resolution" that will tossed aside come April 5th. Make a change for a lasting impact... something that will last long beyond the candy that will fill the Easter baskets this coming Easter morning.
7:13 PM
good stuff Jen. good stuff.