Every year the season of Lent is highly anticipated by Christians around the world. Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in which prepares followers of Jesus Christ for Easter.
This year’s Lenten season began on February 18 and will end on April 2.
Easter is commonly associated with pastel colors, sweet candies, the easter bunny, egg hunts and many other lighthearted activities. Although Easter celebrations do incorporate all these key festivities, many get caught up in the materialistic side of Easter. These joyous endeavors should surely be done and happiness should be expressed. But Christians must remember the sadness and pain that Jesus endured in order to relieve humanity from the punishment of our sins.
Lent is a time to prepare ourselves for the resurrection of Christ. Christians must conduct self repentance and spiritual discipline to mirror Jesus Christ’s 40 days of fasting in the Judean desert and his temptation against the devil. Satan’s largest weapon is the use of temptation.
As a way to show our devotion, Christians give up things like ice cream, candy, alcohol, fast food, soda and so much more. Individuals also can take up something, such as praying more, carving more time out to read the Bible, or making an effort to be a kinder person.
This Lent, I personally gave up Starbucks. I realized that going to get a drink constantly throughout the week took my focus away from things that are actually important. By sacrificing Starbucks, I realized that it’s more beneficial to spend that time with people I care about or honoring God through my actions, and not idolizing the color of my Starbucks refresher.
During this season of sacrifice, temptation to quit or cave in on our commitment to Christ is daunting. But just as Jesus had to resist temptation from the devil, we must also do so.
These sacrifices show our devotion to growing closer to God. Just as he gave up his one and only son for the most brutal and humiliating death imaginable.
So this Lenten season or even next season, challenge yourself to give something up. Lent is a sacred time and should be honored as which. Jesus Christ loves everyone and yearns for us to grow closer to him. Ultimately, it’s up to us to make the small sacrifices and show discipline when faced with temptation. Instead of just changing your life for the better just during Lent, use the season to make a lasting change in your life.
