What
Are You Giving Up?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
– Galatians 5:22-23a
It is the
season of Lent. We attended a beautiful Ash Wednesday service last night and it
really got me thinking about what we give up for Lent. Or, perhaps, what we do
for Lent.
Our church
is reading the New Testament in its entirety during the 47 days leading up to
Easter. The idea is that as we read and spend time in the Word, we’ll become
more like the people of Easter. In other words, we’ll become more like Jesus
and His early disciples.
Just before
this passage on the fruit of the Spirit, Paul wrote about giving up the acts of
the flesh. He included hatred, selfish ambition, jealousy, immorality and
discord. He was telling us how not to live and then how to live.
So, I wondered
what would happen if we gave up something that mattered to God?
What would
happen if instead of trying to “fix” people who weren’t like us, we loved them like
Jesus? How would our lives change if we sought joy rather than focusing on the
negativity around us? Perhaps we could plant peace in our hearts rather than
choose to lash out at others. Maybe we could be patient with those who don’t
meet our expectations, just as God is patient with us. Maybe we could practice
kindness to those we view as outcasts. Goodness could replace harsh words.
Faithfulness could call us to worship God in truth and not just words.
Gentleness might turn us toward compassion. And self-control could cause us to
think about ourselves less and to actually listen to others before we judge.
I’m certainly
not against giving up chocolate or soda, if that’s what you prefer. And we
could all use less social media these days. But I wonder how highly God thinks
of our “sacrifices” and our “discipline” when it does nothing to bring honor to
Him or His Kingdom.
So, instead
of going the easier route I challenge you to give up something that matters to
God. Seek to truly live the fruits of the Spirit and, in so doing, shine His
light for all to see.
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