We are into the first week of Lent. As I've shared before I wasn't raised in a family or religion that observed the season of Lent; I didn't really know what it was until I joined a denomination that does observe the season. However, I still don't feel compelled to give up something as a form of a sacrifice. Giving up chocolate or sodas really has no meaning because we have plenty of other forms of indulgences that make up the temporary loss.
Is Lent really about making sacrifices? I've read articles that suggest alternatives to giving up something. Things like perhaps doing a kind, caring act everyday or not gossiping. That's nice, but really those are things that should be done all the time, not just during Lent.
So, what is Lent really about? I think it is about love; God's love, the love that sent His son to earth to die for my sins, a love that I can't comprehend but enjoy every day. During Lent we should be opening our hearts to His love, and sharing that love with all those around us.
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| love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul Deuteronomy 11:13 |
I think you are right about giving up something that is not really a sacrifice, and if it is truly to be a sacrifice, it has to be about something that enhances your ability to focus on the importance of why a sacrifice blesses us, not just giving up something because you give it up. Reminds me of the year my friend said she was giving up buying wine for Lent--mind you she did not give up drinking it. I told her I did not get how that was really a sacrifice. But then, it was not a tradition in my early church years either.
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