March 3, 2022

 

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.

February 14, 2018

Remember

Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. – Matthew 26:48-49

Today is both Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day. Fitting, don’t you think? The first is a day of repentance and sorrow and the second is a day to indulge in chocolate and flowers and perfume.

We get caught up in the commercial trappings, don’t we? It’s nice. Why not share a fancy dinner with someone you love? What’s wrong with a little indulgence to celebrate a relationship you cherish?

It’s all so wonderful – until it isn’t. Betrayal carries a high cost and becomes a burden that weighs us down, reminding us that the deadliest wounds come from those closest to our hearts.

Some churches conduct an Ash Wednesday service, placing ashes in the form of a cross on those who slowly make their way to the alter. A reminder of our sins, our sorrow and our repentance.

We struggle during the Lenten season, determined to make a sacrifice for Jesus. We give up candy or soda. We make vows and turn off Facebook or television. We remind ourselves daily – well, except for Sundays – of the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

But do we really get it? Really? Deep inside where our hearts at times feel broken by human betrayal, do we really understand what God did for us? Can we comprehend a love that deep? Do we really grasp the sacrifice of Jesus’ death for the sins you and I have committed?

We are so filled with self-interest. We do good so we will be praised by the multitudes. We sacrifice so that others might see how good we are. We shout loudly all our great attributes.

And we depend totally on ourselves. We work hard. We pave our own way forward. We do all we can as though it depends on us. In our minds, it does. God is for emergencies and miracles. Not to worry. We’ve got the rest.

Except He has called us to a life of daily sacrifice. He draws us toward a life directed by Him, for His glory and not our own. It’s not about us. It’s never been about us. And no matter how hard we try or how loudly we proclaim our goodness, we will never get past the sin and anguish of brokenness deep within.

As you go through this season leading to the cross, remember the cost. Look in the mirror and see your guilt. Close your eyes and feel the sting of betrayal, your betrayal of Jesus Christ. Feel the nails as they penetrate His skin. Swelter under the sun’s heat. Hear the insults that draped a man who was never anything but good.

On this day, remember what you have done for a kiss and 30 silver coins. Kneel down in genuine repentance. Rise. Feel the grace and mercy and love as it engulfs you. Go, and sin no more.  

February 18, 2015

What Are You Giving God?

 

You cannot fast as you do today

and expect your voice to be heard on high.

-- Isaiah 58:4b

I've never really understood the giving up of something for Lent. How does giving up Diet Coke or chocolate bring us closer to God?

People have tried to explain it to me. Every time you crave whatever you have given up, you think of God and it draws you closer to Him. Actually, I think it would just make me irritable. And I don't think it impresses God at all.

What is God looking for? The answers are found in Isaiah 58.

 

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

and untie the cords of the yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter --

when you see the naked, to clothe him,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

-- Isaiah 58:6-7

I guess that explains it all. We'd rather choose to give something up rather than do for the poor. We'd rather do something for our own benefit than to reach out and help someone who might never be able to do anything for us. We'd rather choose something that is convenient than get dirty or give up something we value, like our time.

God doesn't want empty gifts this Ash Wednesday. He has told us what matters to Him. If we are truly repentant, shouldn't this day be about God?

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Marked With Mourning

"Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." -- Job 42:6

Today is Ash Wednesday. Some folks know it as the day after Fat Tuesday. Others know it as the beginning of Lent. It is a day when we remember that we are nothing without God, our Creator. We repent, giving an outward sign to all, that we are sinners worthy only of death.

This holy season begins a journey toward Easter and the resurrection of Jesus. We go forward remembering fully what Jesus did for us when He died on the cross. We embrace His sacrifice, His suffering and rejection, paying the penalty for our sins. My sins. Your sins. He, who was without sin, died so that you and I could live forever in the Presence of God Almighty.

Most of the time we can just sort of scoot through life, pretending that we're more than we are. Today we remember that God made us and without Him we don't exist. Today we acknowledge that we are sinners who fall short of the Glory of God. Today we admit that without Jesus we would be doomed to a horrible death and complete destruction.

Many churches will conduct services tonight. Christians will walk humbly to the altar and be marked with the ashes of mourning. We will spend the next 40 days on a journey toward a cross and one solitary man who gave Himself so that we might live.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Remember

"God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." -- Romans 3:25a

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. We have started the journey toward Easter and the resurrection of Jesus. We are blessed because we know the ending that comes after this time of sorrow and penitence.


We are all sinners. All of us. No one gets a bye because he views his sins as less than those of someone else. Sin is sin, whether it's a white lie or murder. Feel free to squirm or get huffy. It won't change anything but it might make you feel better.


Lent is the 40 days -- not counting Sundays -- that leads to Easter. We don't count Sundays because Jesus rose on a Sunday. Before Jesus began His ministry He spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. He prepared Himself for His journey. In Lent, we are called to prepare ourselves to draw closer to God.

Traditionally, Lent is a time of prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial. We use this time to rededicate ourselves to God. We seek to grow as Christians and simplify a complicated life. It's sort of like spring cleaning our souls.

So what are you doing during this time of reflection? Are you devoting extra time to pray and study God's word? Are you making changes in your life and attitude so that your actions become more in line with God's plan? Are you actively helping others who are less fortunate?

God gave His only Son for us. During this time of reflection it is important to remember the price that Jesus paid when He redeemed us with His death.