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“When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing: he’ll reward you well.” Matthew 6:16-18 -- The Message
Ash Wednesday (March 9) officially marks the beginning of Lent. It is the begi
nning of what is commonly known as a time to “give up” something. For some it is a time where we practice self-denial as a test of our devotion and religious discipline. Others may see it as a time of mandatory abstinence or a call to moral introspection. Some of us give up chocolate, diet coke/pepsi, meat, coffee, Facebook, Twitter, Wii, cell phones, American idol, shopping, swearing, meetings, and the list goes on. All these practices have some merit. Yet, I am puzzled and perhaps disturbed by the fact that we “give it up” for Lent and on Easter Sunday we “take it back.”
Lent is a time where we seek to fast and abstain from all things that tend to draw our hearts from God. I often wonder if the things we “give up” draw us apart from God or are they just things we choose to give up to see how long we can go without those patterns or habits. Are these things that will call us to repentance, renewal and refocus or are they impulsive actions and emotional devotions?
What are we truly giving up? Jesus gave up his life…totally…forever…not just 40 days…and He didn’t take it back! Instead of giving up something consider taking on the life, suffering, death, resurrection and Spirit-giving of Jesus. Practice living and following the life of Jesus through prayer, reading and meditating on Scripture, fasting as well as doing works of mercy. The spiritual discipline of Lent should sustain and refresh us so that we may give full expression to the reality of the life of Jesus.
So as you consider “giving up” something ask yourself, “is this pulling me away from God or is it drawing me to God?” “Or is it a bad habit that I just need to work on giving it up for good, not just for Lent?” Consider “taking on” forms of devotion and common life which flow from and prepare us for the realities made present in the Resurrection! Let us seek the things that will draw us to God and keep us there even after the 40 days!
I pray that as we prepare for this season of Lent, we seek to glorify God by practicing and following the life of Jesus. May our motivations be pure. And may the Holy Spirit anoint us so that all that we think, feel and do may bring God’s kingdom into fuller realization. Whatever you decide, may it be a time where you give your life, mind, heart and soul….your entire attention to God. Shalom!
Rev. Miriam Méndez, Pastor
Rev. Miriam Méndez is Pastor of Esperanza Church, a Spanish American Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon. She is a Spiritual Director and Adjunct Professor at George Fox Evangelical Seminary, Portland, Oregon. Rev. Méndez serves as the Oregon Senator for the ABC/USA Minister’s Council.