Well, it's Ash Wednesday. A time for all of us sinners to give something up for 40 days in order to improve ourselves in the sight of Christ. Every year, I find myself wondering why people do this. Not that it isn't Biblical or Holy, but that we are so completely opposite of that ourselves. We are indulgent! We want what we want and we have no problem attaining it — in spiritual words, getting it!
Who doesn't want to be an improved version of self? Everyone wants to be better. Think about those New Years resolutions and how fired up we were writing them down and taking them on. We want to look our best, feel our best and of course be our best (us) in not only man's eyes but God's eyes too.
I have a jaded view of this season and it's not because I'm being a jerk or ignorant. It's just that as a Christian, I try to "die to self" daily. Not specifically a vice, mind you, but of stuff that doesn't belong in my life at all. If it's not good for me and it doesn't honor Christ–why would I do it? I get the idea of denying oneself of something beloved to remind me of Jesus' sacrifice. Any kind of fasting usually reminds us just how little we love God and how little we live according to His ways. 🙁
Sad admittance, huh?
All around me are friends/people bragging about what they are giving up for Lent. Which in my thinking does just the opposite of what fasting should do. You know that old 'don't let your right hand know what your left is doing' thing? (Matt. 6:3) Don't boast or it doesn't count! It's sacred, right? So zip it and do it….focusing on becoming a better follower of the Most High God! As we "struggle" with wanting whatever we've given up, God can use that to teach us to fill our lives with more of Him.
We need more of Him.
So, whether you're giving up Diet Coke, chocolate or tv for the next 40 days….don't forget to ask God to reveal the things that really need {to go} in your life. Ask Him to show your sinfulness, selfishness and lack of faith. That, my friend is what we need to rid our lives of the most.
This is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock.
Don't pretend…this Lent.
PS-Easter's coming!
