Giving Up Something for Lent
Friends and followers of Jesus,
Studies show that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. If you can double that amount of time to six weeks, chances are you're well on your way to forming a long-lasting habit. When that habit is a good one, e.g. getting in better shape or improving your productivity, it's worth forming.
Many Christians use the season of Lent, which starts next week to do something similar. You'll often hear the question asked this time of year, "What are you giving up for Lent?" Giving up some small pleasure for Lent, like chocolate or coffee, can be a nice way to remind ourselves throughout Lent that this season is about what Jesus gave up for us.
We don't give things up in order to please God or gain His favor; nor can such a small denial make Lent more meaningful or even increase one's faith. Rather, it is simply an attempt to keep ourselves mindful throughout the day that it is Lent. That alone can make this a valid Christian desire and discipline.
Curbing our flesh is always good and self-discipline is regularly encouraged in Scripture (see Galatians 5:22,23; Titus 1:8). It is beneficial to practice saying 'no' to your urges so that when it comes to actual sinful urges, you'll be better prepared to say 'no' to those as well. And, if I'm being honest with myself, cutting a couple calories is probably appropriate, and (though I hate to admit it) cutting back on my caffeine intake probably wouldn't hurt either.
But Lent isn’t ultimately about giving things up. The goal of Lent is not self-improvement in the conventional sense. Instead, Lent is a season of preparation. We prepare to see the cost of our salvation and Christ's great victory over the grave on Easter. And when it comes to preparation, Christians always prepare the same way: repentance.
True repentance is not simply feeling sorry, and it certainly isn’t an emotional frenzy of despair. Nor is it merely an outward act for the world to see. True repentance means turning away from sin in sorrow AND turning to God in the joy of forgiveness. In other words, true repentance is faith. It trusts God's Word when it calls my sin sinful and it trusts in Christ who forgives me every single time, even when I know I don't deserve it.
Lent, therefore, isn't so much a time of “giving things up” as it is a time for adding things that increase our awareness, understanding, and appreciation of God’s mercy in Christ. Lent is a time to capitalize on the opportunities offered to receive God’s forgiveness, hear His Word and receive His Sacrament.
So if you’re looking for something to give up this Lent, here's my suggestion: give up a few hours each Sunday morning and go to church. Don’t do it to discipline yourself or make yourself better. Do it simply for the joy of hearing God’s Word and receiving His good gifts. Trust that there, by the Means of Grace, repentance is educated and edified and your faith is fed.
Here are some ways to consider challenging yourself for the six weeks (February 14-March 31) in Lent:
Worship -- Can you be in church every Sunday through Lent? No excuses, nothing gets in the way--not even losing an hour of sleep when our clocks spring forward an hour on March 10! Commit to this and find an accountability partner to help you.
Bible Class -- If you don't attend one during the week (Sunday or Wednesday) pick one and attend it for six weeks. If you do attend one, consider adding a second. You can even Zoom into our Wednesday night class from the comfort of your home.
Devotion -- Can you spend at least 5-10 minutes reading or listening to some devotional material: daily Bible reading, devotional book (e.g. Meditations), blogs, podcasts, etc. We will be handing out new devotional books on Sunday to help encourage everyone in this. Be sure to come and get one!
Prayer -- Increase your prayer life, time, opportunities; increase the reach of people you for pray for; start a prayer list of your own throughout the day and spend time praying for them by name before you go to bed. Ask 1-2 people every day (friends, neighbors, coworkers) "How can I pray for you?" and then actually do it.
Giving -- Consider increasing your charitable donations - either your offerings to Prince of Peace or to other organizations you support and see how, after six weeks, it affected your budget. Personally, I've learned, especially with my offerings, that the more generous I am with God, the less I am in need.
Service -- look for ways to live your faith every day as you interact with the people in your life. Remember: oftentimes the smallest things can have the biggest impact on people.
Pick a couple of those from the list above, write them down somewhere you will see it and do them for six weeks. I think you'll be surprised by the end of Lent how easy it was and how beneficial they were to you and those around you. God grant you the strength, resolve, and commitment to draw nearer to the One we celebrate this and every season as we approach His cross and empty tomb.
May the Lord richly bless your weekend and I hope to see you Sunday morning!
In Christ,
Pastor Bater