When I was growing up, the Baptist Church I attended did not recognize Lent (Pastor Jon brought this discipline to HHBC). I remember Lent as something only Catholics did. When Jon and I started at Glenkirk, we would hear about a Lent Service, but did not give it much attention. Somewhere down the road, I was touched by a sermon regarding the meaning of Lent, and so I started giving things up for Lent. One year I gave up reading the Enquirer, and never went back. One year I gave up Soap Operas, and never went back. One year I gave up chocolate. I went back.
The point of Lent is to give up something that will make you think about the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. We are called to ask ourselves what stands in the way of us and a deeper relationship with Christ. When Jesus was preparing himself for ministry he fasted for 40 days in the desert. He rid himself of all distractions and needs so that He could draw on the strength of His Father God. We are encouraged to give up something for 40 days in order to prepare our hearts and minds for Holy week.
Sometimes, instead of giving up something, we are encouraged to take on something. At lunch yesterday, my friends and I all shared that we are horrible at drinking water. We thought about having a daily goal of drinking 24 ounces a day as something that might be good for our bodies and make us think about the cleansing of our sins by Jesus.
I have also been thinking about what I struggle with on a daily basis. I have wrestled with this question all week, and I have concluded that I need to keep by conversations Christ centered. For the next 40 days, I am going to try and live by the motto, "What Would Jesus Say." I need to keep my language positive and encouraging, which is hard in this negative world. I have been tested this week on keeping positive in the middle of some strife. I don't think I have a good handle on this challenge yet, but I am hoping by the end of 40 days, that I will have learned something that will continue on in my life and draw me closer to Christ.
Whatever you do, or do not do, let it be in remembrance of what Jesus did for you on the cross. We all have stumbling blocks in our life that keep us from being close to God. This is a good time to get rid of sinful thoughts and/or actions, and become recommitted to a relationship with Christ.
When Easter Day arrives, and you have sacrificed something for Christ, you will feel closer to Him. Although we could never understand or repay Christ for His sacrifice for us, we can be thankful that we have a God that would go to the cross for us so that we could live freely.
Blessings,
Sandy
