Thoughts on Lent

I have been an inconsistent Lenten Christian. I have failed almost every time in my attempts to “give up” a pleasure or activity for the entire Lenten season. I am not proud of my failures. They reveal my selfishness. I was not trained early in the concept of this season of self-sacrifice, but as an older Christian, I see the value of willful, thoughtful self-denial for spiritual gain. The gain is often in my sensitivity toward God, awareness of His voice as he speaks to me through His Word. I grew up in a denomination which practiced year-long prideful self-denial in some areas of living. From that early life, I rejected superficial rules to demonstrate Christianity. I wanted to show that loving God was much more than superficial practices, but that we needed to love Him daily in mind, body, soul and strength. I recognize in this battle the contrast here between law (sacrifice) and grace (accepting Christ’s ultimate gift on the cross). For years I thought ritual sacrifice was entirely wrong. It isn’t, but my motive must be right.

During past Lenten seasons, I considered the multitude of little pleasures that pull me away from God or sin against my body: my technology, my mystery novels, my diet sodas, after supper snacks, rich desserts or heavy meals. In my analysis of Lenten failures, I realize I do not commit to a specific plan, then I haphazardly tell myself, “I’ll sacrifice this.” or later when I slip, “I’ll do without that.” I have a lack of purpose. My motives are wrong. I am no different from the Israelites who observed the letter of the law without intentional devotion. Lenten sacrifice without love isn’t anything valuable to God or to me. In my head, I hear Jesus’ question to Peter, “Do you truly love me more than these?” (John 21:15 NIV) Do I love him enough to please him? Even in such little sacrifices? Do I love Him enough “to do those things that are pleasing in his sight?” (I John 3:22NIV). One thing I know— Lent is about drawing near to Him. Lent’s physical deprivation in any form is about preparing my heart as the Israelites cleansed their homes for the first Passover.

Lent is a spring-cleaning of the windows of the mind and soul, a purposeful examination before I can look clearly again on His brutal sacrifice and the celebration that follows on Easter. Just as the disciples mourned and pondered the meaning of that disastrous Passover week while he lay hidden in the grave, we must consciously mourn our state without Him. Paul said in I Corinthians 9:27 “But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service]”(AMP). Paul brought his body under subjection not because the law required it, but because it made him more tuned to deliver Christ’s message. His discipline was intentional dedication. Our mourning season, our time of deprivation or greater discipline at Lent makes the celebration of Easter so vibrant. It also foreshadows a greater celebration coming, the one where we celebrate seeing Jesus face to face! He has long been out of our physical presence, but on that day of His return, we will celebrate His Easter victory again in the best way possible!

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