Since
you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as
though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not
handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things
that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands
and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their
self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the
body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Colossians 2:20-23
I love the Easter season even
more than Christmas. No frenzied store sales, excessive buying, or parties to
attend. Just a breathless anticipation of spring and the celebration of the resurrection
of my Savior. There’s a feeling of rejuvenation each year as daffodils push
their little yellow heads up toward the warm sun, Bradford pear trees sprout beautiful
white blooms, and the grass suddenly turns green as life begins anew. Christians mark
the beginning of the countdown to Easter with a period known as Lent.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve
never given up anything for Lent. At least not that I can remember. My son once
gave up pizza as young teen, and it was a long 40 days! J Growing up as a Methodist, we
had little offering booklets with 40 slots to insert a quarter for each day of
Lent. We placed our filled booklets in the offering plate on Easter. Or at
least that was the idea. We often didn’t have two quarters to rub together, so
filling that booklet was a challenge.
I’ve always had mixed feelings
about the self-denial that marks the Lenten season. I can understand giving up
cigarettes or excessive eating or something like that since our bodies are the
temple of the Lord. If you manage to give up a vice for 40 days, your chances
of sticking with it beyond that are really good. Even giving up a television
show that consumes time that could be spent in prayer or Bible study is an excellent
idea. But chocolate or the other things I hear mentioned seem more like what
Martin Luther fought against in the time preceding Reformation. In other words,
self-sacrifice that somehow makes us feel more righteous or more of a Christian
isn’t what God wants from us. He wants our love and devotion and, as
Christians, to reflect that love into the world around us 365 days a year.
Don’t get me wrong. If you’ve
chosen to participate in self-denial during the Lenten season, that’s between
you and God. He’s the only one who knows your motives and what glory your
actions will bring to Him. I pray that your actions do just that.
Maybe an even better idea than
self-denial would be to give more of ourselves to Christ.
What can I do to bring more glory to Him? To bring others to Christ? Or rework
my schedule so I’m spending more time in prayer and Bible study? Or maybe
volunteer my time to a worthwhile cause that will reflect Christ's love to
those I'm serving?
My ultimate goal this Lenten
season is to continue to become more like Christ in order to further His Great
Commission. As I think of it in that light, a certain amount of self-sacrifice will be a necessary part
of my success.
Have you decided to give up
something for Lent? If not, how do you plan to mark the Lenten season?
Meanwhile, if you have a prayer
request, please leave a comment or e-mail me confidential requests. I’d love to
pray for you. While you’re here, would you lift up others in prayer who leave
comments? A permanent prayer list is also at the top of the blog.
This heartbreaking prayer request
was shared last week on our prayer list:
Please pray for little 2 year old
Katie Barkley. She was in an auto accident, both C1 & C2 broken, spinal
cord stretched, blood clot on brain (left side of brain is dead), and a stroke.
Doctors are telling the family Katie will be a quadriplegia - from neck down. This
is so difficult for us to believe - since Katie was an active 2 year old -
playing, watching TV & enjoying life to the fullest...PLEASE PRAY FOR KATIE…Our
hearts are broken...If you want to follow her on social media - please join us
on FB at "Pray for little 2 year old Katie Barkley." Thank you.
Please join me in prayer for
Katie and her family. If you’re reading this blog
post, know that you’re in my prayers today, as well.
God bless,
Laura
✞
Would you like a devotion
delivered to your e-mail each day of Lent? Sign up at Gateway Bible.
Additional reading on Lent:
Bible/cross/crown image courtesy
of lamnee/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
Daffodils image courtesy of
Arvind Balaramen/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
Praying image courtesy of David
Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
©Laura Hodges Poole
