Lent: to Give Up or to Take On

Lent is that time in the year that we prepare for Christ to take that long walk to Calvary.  To then be hung on the cross and to die to this world.  Then we wake up on Easter Morn with the Christ being the conqueror of this world.  Our life has been renewed and we are closer to God because of our time preparing for this pivotal moment in history. 

People often spend the time in prayer and fasting.  They will also give up something that means a lot to them.  This item helps reminds them of the life Jesus gave up for them.  This is considered a sacrifice that reminds them every day of giving up a little piece of themselves to God.  On Eastern Morn, many will go back to the things that they have given up.  They may choose different things each year but many sacrifice the same things.  We often think of giving up on red meat on Friday as an example of this type of sacrifice.  Through these actions they grow closer to Jesus and the sacrifice that was made for their life.

Other people will give up things that interfere with their connection with God.  We will hear people say they are giving up sugar, cigarettes, alcohol or other dangerous items.  This sacrifice leads them to draw closer to God.  In the process they choose a habit they feel has interfered with their relationship with God.  Over the period of Lent they come to realize that they do not need the habit in their life.  Therefor on Eastern Morn, they walk away from the habit for good.  This represents the fact that our sins were left behind in the grave when Jesus arose on Eastern Morning.

There are other people that take on things for Lent.  They see their sacrifice as taking on additional responses or activities which will bring them closer to God.  Many will take up reading scripture, starting a bible study, or doing a daily devotional.  Through taking on more things they are representing the many things that Jesus had to carry with him on the cross.  Jesus wasn’t on the cross because what he had done he was there because of what we had done.  Therefor taking on extra responsibilities leads the person to a closer walk to God. 

We also have to remember those that do not give up or take on anything for Lent.  They feel as they should live their whole life in dedication to God.  They believe there is no reason to do something special for a short period of time to express their love of God.  They feel that every day should be a day spent connected with God in as many ways as possible.

Now is one group right and the other groups wrong?  Is there a right way to observe Lent?  Is there a wrong way to observe Lent?  Is it wrong not to observe Lent?  We want things to fit in a perfect box so we have a hard time understanding when people do not do things the way we do it. 

Is there a possibility to come to a common ground?  A time in which we accept that our way is not the only way.  People miss the one thing that there four groups of people want.  They all want a closer walk with God.  If it helps someone to walk closer to God to give up something they cherish for a small amount of time, how can we deny it?  If it helps someone else to come closer to God by giving up a bad habit, why would we stop it?  If it helps someone feel closer to God by taking on extra spiritual things, who are we to say they are wrong?  If someone feels that they do not have to do anything yet desire a closer walk with God, who are we to criticize? 

God does not set in stone the ways that we must worship God.  The wonderful thing about God is that we can manifest our faith in the way that we need to do it that makes us feel closer to God.  We should never look down upon someone that is worshipping God in their own way.  We should rejoice in the fact that we are being joined by others in the preparedness of the arrival of our Savior.

There is one other thing that we need to consider.   How do we communicate with people that are not worshiping God?  The lost and unchurched those feel abandoned in the world.  How do we reach outside our comfort zones and bring Christ to them.  See we have to understand that religion has made victims throughout times.  We need to accept that there are people that have left the comfort zone of the church for one reason or another.  Many of them will never return.  How do we help them walk a little closer to God?

We can help these groups by sharing our stories.  We can be less critical of the way people live their life.  We can attempt to see the world through their eyes.  We need to try to see their pain and to share our pain.  When we are able to show people that Christ died for all, lives are changed.  It is shameful if we continue walking in our bubble missing the fact that there are so many in the world hurting today.  We have to be open to their differences before we can ever restore their hope.

The next time we come across someone that is in that place of uncertainty with God we need to stop and think back to when we felt the same way.  We need to ask ourselves what made us get over that feeling.  Did someone help us?  Did God deliver the message through an angel, a person like us?  Were we able to see Jesus in the way someone treated us?  Did we feel welcomed because someone accepted us the way we were without rejection?

Christians can observe Lent in so many ways and as long as their goal is the same then they are doing what God has called them to do.  Yet, if they fail to help one that is hurting they are not only walking further away from God but they are leading the person down the slippery slope.  Stop for one moment and ask God what you need to do this day.  Is God asking you to go out of your comfort zone?  Are you being asked to do something that you thought you would never do?  Is that what it takes to get you in a closer relationship with God?  Are you willing to do it?  Are you willing to help those that are hungry find food?  Are you willing to give drink to the thirsty?  Are you there to give spiritual comfort to those that are hurting?  If not what do you need to change or accept in your life to get to that point spiritually.

Lent it is up to you to live it the way that makes you feel closer to God.  Yet don’t forget about all those that need to see Christ in you.  Remember your closest walk with God may come in a way you least expected it.