As we enter the Lenten season for 2012 what a wonderful time of the year for Christians. During Lent we are asked to repent, fast, give alms and reflect on the sacrifice(s) our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ made for us. The Lenten season gives us an opportunity upon self reflection to come closer to Christ and fall more in love with Him. We are asked to make sacrifices in regards to our Christian life. We are asked to sacrifice the things in our lives that have kept us separated from God and improve upon the things that will draw us closer to Him and make us more like Christ.
I was reading the newspaper the other day and they ran an article on the start of Lent. They interviewed a lot of people and asked them what they were giving up (sacrificed) for Lent. Some of their comments were awesome. A woman was going to attend church during the week, a man was going to start a daily devotional and a young person was hoping to read the Bible daily. These are the type of sacrifices that will lead these people to a closer relationship with God and help them to become more like Christ.
However, there is a part of sacrifice during the Lenten season that is completely distorted. Other people in the newspaper article said they were giving up pop, ice cream, fast food, potato chips, etc. Not only was I disheartened by their choice of sacrifice. In fact, a part of me felt sorry for them. Why? Because somewhere in their life they were taught that giving up pop, ice cream, fast food, potato chips, etc., was an acceptable sacrifice to God.
After reflecting on ones’ self, I know there is not a sacrifice that we can ever make that would compare to the sacrifice(s) our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ made on the cross! But these people believing that sacrificing pop, ice cream or fast food will draw them closer to the Lord and make them more like Christ is a complete lack of respect and knowledge to Our Lord, Jesus. None of the sacrifices Jesus made involved food.
At the end of the Lenten season Jesus sacrifices His life on the Cross. For some people who make the correct sacrifices, the end of their Lenten season will result in a closer, more intimate relationship with Jesus. For those people who sacrifice pop, ice cream or fast food, the end of their Lenten season may result in fewer cavities and a little weight loss. But their relationship with the Lord will not have changed over the 40 day journey. How sad and a complete waste of time for them. All I can do is ask God to please forgive them for they don’t know what they do.
So during the 40 day Lenten season I hope and pray you make the correct sacrifices necessary to help you improve upon your relationship with Jesus. If so, your Lenten season will be fruitful!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
Gary
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