Saturday, February 25, 2012

40 days of giving up, taking up and getting better?

This week churches will launch into the Lenten season.

One thing which my former minister encouraged was the novel idea (at least I'd never heard of it prior) that Lent is not just about giving up things.

Sure, you can give up your indulgences of caffeine, chocolate, or Facebook, but Lent can also be about taking things up.

During Lent you can embrace things which help you focus on God and following Him closer, not just withdraw from doing things you love.

But I wonder if we miss a larger point of Lent due to the way we behave from Easter onwards.

We use Lent to remind ourselves of the luxuries which we could do without.
We use Lent to raise money.
We use Lent as an exercise of self control.

Lent shouldn't be merely 40 days of torment or intentional spiritual discipline.

Lent should be a launching pad that last long after Holy Week..

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