Up for Lent
Ash Wednesday is this week, the day that brings many into the season of Lent that covers the 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays which always celebrate the resurrection, even during Lent.
One of our recent visitors is trying to figure out what “luxury” to give up for Lent this year. Last year this active reader gave up frivolous novels. This year she thought she’d give up chocolate, but since she’s American and may never again have the opportunity to enjoy Swiss chocolate in this abundant context, it seems too big a sacrifice to make. I suggested giving up CNN, but this English-speaker just got her first television yesterday after 4 weeks without news. Plus, everyone’s got to keep up on the Bird Flu.
As we joked and brainstormed on things for HER to give up, it became clear that finding just the right sacrifice to make, not too big, not too small, would not be easy.
I am not a big Lent fan. We are called to enjoy stuff with thankfulness. But the season of Lent does bring perspective into a life made up of Fat Tuesdays. It can prepare us for Easter when our Savior gave it all up for us.
posted by Brady @ 2:14 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Not if they're doing the same for you!
I've had a few times that I've fasted from all forms of sweets for different lengths of times....this has really helped me in my relationship with god because every time it gets tempting to break my commitment I just remember "I'm doing this for God!". A few times I've done it for a specific person and situation and that has also helped my relationship with God and my self-discipline because I think about this person and talk to God every time I do and say a prayer for that person.
And, like you said Brady, it helps me be more thankful for the things I have!!
Love you and yur family! Tell them hi! Tell them to visit my blog!
I am giving up reading blogs.
I'd like to give up this cold!
I think for me, the giving up of things (like your sanity) you're use to is part of the attraction on chaperoning a youth event and I'm serious when I say this.
Those of us who have been to Bible Camp or on youth trips know that as adults, we give up our schedule to be on theirs.
This might be a reach but it was the first thing that came to mind when I thought about your post.
I am currently teaching a class of twentysomethings. As I sat down yesterday, one of them asked the elder in charge if we could dismiss to go have breakfast. I was so glad that they were eager to delve into the study.
The person who was supposed to bring donuts forgot and that was the major topic of discussion. One of the class members was asked to write down prayer requests and he said, half-jokingly, "How can I be expected to pray on an empty stomach?"
Now, I'm no Bible scholar, but it seems to me that prayer and fasting go pretty well together.
I could vent more but my point is this: sometimes I think we need to give something up to A) help us focus on other things and B) give us a greater appreciation for what we temporarily sacrifice.
I'm going to encourage my class to give up donuts for Lent.
I'm struck by the "coincidence of timing" relating to Lent and Fat Tuesday.
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