Is Lent a Dead Tradition?
I grew up observing the season of Lent, often giving up candy or chocolate. One year I remember giving up bread! The idea was to give up something I loved…for Jesus.
Even after I left the church of my youth I carried on the tradition. For one thing, it was a way I could curb the things that had gotten out of control in my life, and I always seemed to be more successful when I did it for Jesus. 
Yet, giving up something for Jesus was always a struggle, a form of denying my flesh and suffering like Jesus suffered. And when it was all over I dove right back in to whatever I had sacrificed. But is that what Lent is all about?
My church is observing the season of Lent. From extra services to giving up things, there is a variety of ways we can observe Lent this year, but my pastor made it absolutely clear that Lent should not lead to legalism. It should be about drawing closer to Jesus.
If I deny myself something, then I should fill that space up with Jesus. That’s what Lent is all about. In fact he said, if you need to stay home to meet with Jesus, then do it.
So I’ll be participating in Lent again this year with a renewed focus not because I feel pressured into giving up something, but because I desperately need to reconnect with my Lord. I’m not sure yet what I will sacrifice, but whatever it is, I’ll need to keep in mind that the emptiness needs to be filled with Jesus.
Are you giving up something this Lent? If so, why? If it’s because everyone else is doing it, or it’s expected of you, then I challenge you to reconsider. If it’s to fill that void with Jesus, then full speed ahead.
My StumbleUpon Page
You know, this makes me wonder what denomination you are because Lent never comes up at our church (we’re non-denom). I’ve heard of it, of course, and thought of it as a good way to identify with Christ’s sacrifice. I guess the closest thing I’ve done that would relate is fasting.
Just don’t sacrifice blogging!
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:42 pmI grew up Catholic, but not a real practicing one because my mom didn’t get along with the priest. Then she was Born Again and started watching Oral Roberts on television. I’ve always had a relationship with Jesus since an early age, but the way I put it is he was my savior, but later became my Lord. I attended ORU and go to a nondenominational church that embraces some traditions of the past, not because they are traditions, but they’re so closely related to what the first practicing Christians did. Growing up Catholic, we did practice lent, and I did every year afterward, not as a religious ceremony but as a sacrifice to Jesus for what he did for me. (This is beginning to sound like a post in itself!)
But my church now is bringing new meaning to lent. It’s not about giving something up as much as it’s about making room for Jesus. So that’s what I plan on doing. Making room for Jesus by decluttering other areas of my life. And what I’m focusing on giving up has to do with health and denying my flesh. So blogging isn’t one of the things, though that’s not a bad idea!
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:07 pmI am a Protestant and as far as I know Lent is not observed in any church of the reformation. I respect the views of all Christians churches. I don’t think we need to sacrifice anything to Jesus. I don’t think that we as wretched sinners are fit to make sacrifices to Jesus.
God the Son, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed 2000 years ago by God the Father. That was the perfect sacrifice for our redemption and absolution of all our sins.
EVERYTHING we do EVERYDAY (not just during Lent)must be an act of our love for God and our neigbors, not to earn anything or score points with God, but out of true gratitude for that Perfect Sacrfice.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:43 amDaan Van, I agree with you we don’t HAVE to sacrifice anything and that everything we do everyday should be an act of our love for God, but in reality, at least for me, my life gets out of balance every now and then. For me, Lent is a way to get my priorities back on track, get my thoughts OFF myself and to make room for Jesus. It’s not about scoring points, just clearing the clutter so I can hear Jesus better.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:23 amThanks for explaining, Gina, I find both your comments and Daan’s hold important considerations. Sometimes we really do feel convicted that our lifestyles/habits need a drastic adjustment for a while, to help get our priorities back in place. I know I’ve had to give up church ministries in the past, because I was draining my cup dry at home and spiritually.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:29 amI didn’t grow up with Lent, but have embraced it in my 30s and 40s. I often do give something up, but just in the way you describe. In order to make space for prayer and contemplation. Sometimes I have added something to my life for Lent, but this year I need to make space.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:40 pmPreacher, God must have thought I had given up sleep because he got me out of be at 6:20 and I was wide awake. I usually roll out of bed at 7:20, but took this as a sign of a great way to make room for God, as long as he can get me up!! Getting quiet before God BEFORE everyone was awake was the perfect way to start Lent.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:57 pm[...] Portrait of a Writer, Interuppted It Takes a Church Novus Lumen The Suburban [...]
July 17th, 2008 at 10:50 am[...] Portrait of a Writer, Interuppted It Takes a Church Novus Lumen The Suburban Christian SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Ash [...]
August 24th, 2010 at 2:59 pm