Ah...it's that magical time of the year in the Christian Church affectionately known as Lent. For the next 40 days or so leading up to Easter, people all over the world will struggle with all the items they will "give up" during that time. Those poor martyr's...I feel for them.How saintly they are that they have given up chocolate for Jesus' sake. I'm sure there will be a special place in heaven reserved for them for their sacrifice. This all seems a little silly to me. I think it was Jesus who said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Yes, sister Betty...take up that cross of chocolate and sacrifice yourself for my sake. Sometimes I think He stands in heaven and just shakes His head in disbelief with what He sees.
I'll be honest, I've never given up anything for Lent. Having grown up in the Methodist Church I was fully aware of the different seasons in the church and to be honest (again) I thought they were stupid. Just another reason to take a "special" offering. I have always thought that being a Christian meant having a daily walk with Jesus. Becoming more like Him everyday not just the 40 days before Easter.
My journey in the faith has been somewhat of a 15 round heavy weight bout between me and old Beelzebub. We slug it out on a daily basis. What is comforting for me to know is that Jesus is in my corner; coaching me and providing healing to my wounds between rounds. Sacrifice should be a part of our daily lives.
I think for the next 40 days I will celebrate my own season. I will call it Lint. I will sacrifice cleaning out all that fuzz and stuff that seems to gather in my belly button. I'll keep you posted.
Be Well.
Bill
