Lent

Lent began yesterday with the imposition of ashes called Ash Wednesday. The ashes remind us that we are human and we will one day die but that in life, in death, and in life beyond death we are dependent on Jesus Christ.

Lent, along with Advent, is one of the two seasons of spiritual preparation in the life of the church. During Advent we prepare for Christmas, during Lent we prepare for Easter.

Lent, and Advent to a lesser degree, is a season of denial. This has led to the often popular "giving something up" for Lent. As we journey to the cross where Jesus gave his life up for us we too remove those things in our lives that prevent us from being obedient to God's will for our lives.

For many the problem comes with what many people give up. Some people give up chocolate, others coffee, still others television. You can think of many of things to give up. It has been said that giving up such things as these trivializes the great sacrifice of Christ. I guess that is true to some extent- me giving up chocolate or coffee really does not hold any weight when compared to Christ's sacrifice! Others have suggested that instead of giving up something for Lent we would "take something else on" to prepare for Easter. Perhaps reading a new devotional, serving once a week at the soup kitchen, spending a daily quiet time with God, etc. This practice has its critics as well who question if we in our fast paced and hurried world really need one more thing to crowd our days when Lent should be about de-cluttering that which is not essential to our lives. That is a good point too I guess.

I think we need to give up those things that separate us from a deeper relationship with Christ. If you can say that is chocolate for you- then that is great. I think one of the main ideas of Lent is to take some time to examine oneself and what are the roadblocks in one's life to a deeper relationship with Christ. I think it is valid as well to take on something else if it will move us closer to Christ. When we do this we may need to get rid of something else in our hurried life. Here we get at what is truly important.

I hope whether you give something up or take something on for Lent, or do both, that you will draw closer to Christ as you move toward the cross this Lenten season and as you prepare for the good news of Easter.

Here is a previous post I did about what Lent is.