This week I've been posting on Lent - the last post looked at many reasons NOT to give things up for this season. So what is the right reason to give up something for Lent?
In a simple answer, when we give up (completely or partially) food, beverage, or something else we use or take part in regularly – or if we add something new (like a daily time of prayer, rising early to journal during the sunrise, etc) – it’s a shock to our system, routine, and our schedule. As with any fast, the purpose is to remove something from our lives, in a private (meaning, “between you and God”) declaration that God satisfies you more than “that thing” does; when you add something “Godward” to your life, it’s saying the same thing: my time, money, effort, etc. is better used pursuing “first the kingdom of God” than whatever else I could be doing (sleeping, watching TV, etc). By giving something up or adding something to your routine for multiple weeks, it also hopefully serves as a constant reminder of God’s sufficiency, and you can use the time, money, effort, etc. formerly devoted to the object you gave up, instead giving that time, money, effort, etc. to God and his purposes.
When we find ourselves moving toward whatever we gave up, we stop and remember that we gave it up, and symbolically, it serves to turn our hearts toward the LORD. For example, if I were to give up my favorite beverage, Diet Cherry Coke, for Lent, then at about 12:30pm on any given day I haven’t had my first DCC, I will begin to get a caffeine headache (because I confess to you an unhealthy reliance on this delicious, Nutri-sweet-filled drink!). And when I get this headache, the point is that instead of quenching it by walking to the fridge, it helps me pause and reflect on the glory of God and his sufficiency and providence (which exponentially surpasses this 12-ounce beverage!), His suffering, death, and amazing work through which He saved me from my own depravity. I pause to give thanks and praise to my LORD, for who He is and for what He has done.
Is there any “set thing” you’re supposed to do in remembrance; to which you’re supposed to give that time, money, effort, etc.? No. A prayer of thanksgiving to Christ, remembering a psalm, singing a praise, turning to Scripture, praying for those around you, giving your Starbucks money to charity or the poor, or simply stopping and looking around you on a beautiful day like today and remembering the immense goodness of God is remembrance enough. Fasting, devotion, your personal walk with God, and thus Lent, is not a legalistic, rules-based practice, so do whatever works for you.
So, to conclude: Do you have to give something up? No. But on the flip side, is there anything inherently wrong with giving something up? No. If God is working in you to give something up, then do so! Add something to your schedule; stop eating all those sweets; whatever it is – go for it! I encourage you to prayerfully consider this, but to do so with discernment and understanding of what you're doing. ONLY give something up if do it for the right reason: as you reflect on His sacrifice by being selfless in one small aspect of your life for these 40 days, allow this symbolic act to drive you to Christ, to increase your holiness, and to push you to pursue His glory not just for Lent, but for the rest of your life.
Happy Lent - I'd love thoughts/feedback/etc. below.
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