PEA RIDGE — Already we’re half way through the season of Lent.
Traditionally, Catholics and many Protestants observe Lent in various ways. Probably most common is the practice of giving something up during Lent. Some people will choose to fast from something that constitutes a sacrifice of some sort, in light of Christ’s sacrifice for us. The idea being, if Jesus could give all for me, maybe I could intentionally give up something important for Him.
Maybe I could set aside the 40 days leading up to Easter and let some small physical sacrifice in my life remind me that ultimately it shouldn’t be some physical food or luxury that defines my life. Just maybe I could allow the process of denying myself in some manner to remind me that life is not supposed to be all about pandering to myslightest desires and appetites. Seeking to control specific appetites I can and instead focus on hungering and thirsting for the things of God.
I don’t know about you, but when I embark on a fast or choose to give up something for a time, be it for Lent of some other period, I tend to learn some things about myself that I don’t really like. I find that it is often ridiculous how I can allow trivial appetites to control elements of my life. I’m reminded that I don’t actually have to have some of the things that I treat like necessities. I’m reminded how overly blessed we Americans are and how I often tend to take these blessings for granted. I’m reminded that I need a regular refocusing of my life toward what is most important.
Frankly, most of us Americans aren’t all that into sacrifice. Culturally we’re conditioned to meet our every need quickly and often extravagantly. In fact, we typically go well beyond meeting our needs to redefining many of our luxuries as needs. The idea of having an appetite that isn’t quickly satisfied is not all that common in the culture I live in.
Consider these passages of Scripture that remind us that God has called His followers to a life that’s not focused on self: “Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.’” Luke 9:23 (NLT).
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.”Philippians 3:8 (NLT)
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV)
I’d like to leave you with a couple of questions to ponder: How is Christ’s love and sacrifice for you motivating you to push your selfish desires aside and live for Him? How often do you fast from a physical appetite to focus instead on your relationship with God? What specifically in your life looks like taking up your crossdaily and following Jesus?
Whether you typically observe Lent or not, I’m convinced most of us need some intentional practices in our lives that help us die to self and live for Jesus.
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Editor’s note: Al Fowler is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Pea Ridge. He can be contacted at 451-8192, or by e-mail at [email protected].
Church, Pages 2 on 03/21/2012