Monday, March 29, 2010

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

The Way: Lent

In case you didn't know, this time of the year is known as Lent. We are at the two week mark of it exactly. So for those of you participating, you're almost halfway done. Keep it up. I, however, am not doing it. I do not have anything against it. I actually think it is great and that more of us Protestants should partake in some of the older church traditions. But I digress. I have taken part in forty day fasts from things, such as TV and coke (Dr. Pepper to be more specific). They are great times to really focus in on what matters most. Lent helps us to remove those things that clutter our lives, which is more of a blessing than we might realize. There is a caution though that must be taken into account:

"O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Psalm 51:15-17).

Sacrificing things on behalf of Christ is great, honorable, necessary, and joyous. Trust me, I have been there. But we must not think that just our sacrifice is what pleases God. The prophet Samuel proclaimed, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22).

Yes, this season of Lent is about sacrifice, but more than that, it is about preparing you for the celebration of Easter. This time, then, is less about what it is that you are sacrificing and more about your heart. Use this time to cultivate a broken spirit and a contrite heart before God. Use this time to find your joy, not as you would normally in that which you are giving up, but in Christ and him crucified.

If you are not participating in Lent already, I would encourage you to consider it at the very least. Capitalize on this time to join in with the other saints around the world partaking in this great event. But do not lose sight of what this is about. It is not about what you are giving up, but about delighting yourself in the Lord, and in him alone.

"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it....The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you" (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24,28).

-Trace