Today’s writing, “GIVING UP FOR LENT,” is the first in a series about giving things up during Lent. It is about what it means to give something up for this season, whether you should do it, and what it should be if you do. The next weeks we will explore some specific things we can give up, and not just for Lent!
Blessings,
Jan
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Today's Devotional:
"GIVING UP FOR LENT"
by
Jan Andersen
Lent is the 40-day period of time (not including Sundays) prior to Easter. Originally, in the early church times, adults planning to convert to Christianity went through an intensive period of study for several years, and then “purification and enlightenment” in the 40 days leading up to their baptism on Easter. Later, the rest of the church started joining them by remembering their baptisms during this time of Lent. More recently, many churches have used this time of the year to focus on turning away from what separates them from God and remembering Christ’s sacrifice. Giving up something for Lent was started and intended to be about self denial, carrying our cross and following Jesus, based on this passage in the Bible:
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
When someone chooses to give something up for Lent, it is intended to be something that would be challenging, a kind of sacrifice offered up to God. Some choose something that is pleasurable, like chocolate. Others give up a habit that is unhealthy, like smoking. Unfortunately, giving up something for Lent has become just another ritual without much spiritual significance for some. Also, how could giving up something we like during these 40 days anywhere compare to Jesus dying on the cross? If it is a bad habit, shouldn’t we give it up permanently, not just during Lent? So, many people have suggested "giving" things for Lent instead, like giving time to volunteer at a ministry, donating items or money to missions, improving prayer and meditation time, etc.
Let’s think of the phrase “giving up” in several different ways. “Giving up something” could mean quitting doing things that are not God pleasing. Giving “up” could mean giving things to God that are pleasing to Him, lifting them up or giving them “up” to Him. Simply “giving up” could also mean letting go and trusting in God more. Any of these can be beneficial, if done with the right intent. As long as it points to God and what He has done for us through giving his Son to die for us on the cross, it can be edifying. As long as it is NOT something we do thinking we can earn God’s favor, hoping to look good to others, or trying to fulfill a human requirement for church, etc. Jesus has already earned our salvation through his death and resurrection. All we have to do is not reject this free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Anything that we do “give up” is therefore a response to already being saved, our thanks to God.
Dear Father in heaven, we thank and praise your glorious name for all that you have given us, but especially for your free forgiveness and salvation through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. We offer up our entire lives to You out of gratitude and thanks for all your gifts. Help us to be good witnesses to others in all we do and say. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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Song:
TAKE AND RECEIVE
Bukas Palad Music Ministry
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Prayers are lifted up daily for you
by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff
of Women's Focus Ministries.
Blog Writers:
Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,
Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward, Karen Bennett,
Bre Miller, Cathy Friberg, and Corinne Mustafa
Elizabeth McElderry, Betty Espindola, Lynda Kinnard
Amie Spruiell, and Debbie Rodriguez
Occasional Contributors:
Kathy Bireley, Terri Baker, Beverley Napier,
Kelly Dobyns, Glenna Williamson,
Amie Spruiell, and Lisabeth Lipp.
Thank you for explaining about the season of Lent. We do not observe Lent but I respect people who do, and thank you for this very lovely post.
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