Do Something Different

On Wednesday, we will begin a season of preparation.  Lent is the forty days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter.  For years the Church has designated this as a time to reflect on the love of God revealed through the suffering of Jesus.  We are encouraged to recognize our need for a savior and prepare to celebrate the resurrection.  The traditional way of observing Lent is through some sort of fasting.  People give up a certain practice, pleasure, or vice for these forty days as a way for connecting to the suffering of Christ.  Over the years, this practice has devolved somewhat into a way to lose weight, cut out an unhealthy habit, or try to command the blessings of God by making a significant sacrifice.  None of these gets at the purpose behind lenten fasting.

The purpose of giving something up during this season is to remind ourselves that God gave up his Son for us.  It is a reminder we are invited into a relationship with Almighty God.  What will it take for you to remember that in a special way this spring?  It will probably mean doing something different.  It will mean breaking a pattern or starting a new one.  It doesn’t have to feel especially spiritual as long as it reminds you to move toward God and think about Jesus.  There are still a few days left before Lent begins.  It’s worth praying about how you can intentionally prepare to celebrate Easter.