Lent is a pivotal time in the Christian calendar. General it is viewed as a forty day period that reminds us of the forty days when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil. It leads up to Passion Week, the time of those events that led to his crucifixion.

 

 

Just the other day someone asked me, “What are you giving up for lent?” That’s an interesting question because quite often, though lent is time of ‘giving up’ we often don’t realize that lent is also about what we can GAIN.

 

 

The idea is to give up things that are less desirable, the things that tend not to be the best choices for us. They don’t kill us or have terribly critical effects on us but if changed our lives would only be enhanced and better somehow. For instance If I GIVE UP eating unhealthily I GAIN health; if I GIVE UP coffee my body won’t be so addicted to caffeine and my energy level will be much higher. Replacing caffeinated products like coffee/tea, soda pop and so on, with water, will cleanse my body of toxins and I will feel better and perform better all the way around.

 

 

Or if I GIVE UP an hour of television every evening and spend it with family and friends I GAIN relationship time that will have amazing effects on my outlook and general happiness toward life.

 

 

You get the picture.

 

 

So my question to you is not what are you giving up for lent but WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GAIN DURING LENT? If you can decide what you’d like to have, you can decide very intentionally what you need to change or (dare I say the words?) GIVE UP.

 

 

How does this work with Jesus and his experiences leading to the cross? He GAVE UP his rights to be equal with God (Philippians 2:1-8) so he could GAIN relationship with me…bottom line. He GAVE UP his life so I could GAIN life forever.

 

 

As you continue mapping your future, spending thou$and$ to achieve that ultimate career, consider how well you’re investing in the things that really matter. The only thing you can take into eternity when this life ends is your soul …. So what are you doing or what are you prepared to do, to guarantee the only thing left standing at the last day?

 

 

LENT is a good time to think about what you want to GAIN and how far you’re willing to go to get it.

 

 

Blessings!

Pastor D