Giving Up, and Giving In

There are many ways that followers of Christ Jesus observe this season of Lent.   While Lent is the season before Easter, it is intended to be much more than that.    Some people make it a tradition to attend special worship services and Bible studies during Lent.     Remembering how Christ Jesus “gave up” His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, followers of Christ Jesus through the ages during Lent  have also  given up eaten certain foods or even eating for portion of a 24 hour period

During this season of Lent,  I want to suggest you consider “giving up” something else in these Lenten days.    Considering giving up one or more of the following:

·         Why not “give up”  a judgmental attitude toward others?   Most of us never know the full story about another person and their story.  And you know what?    We are not the judge on eternal things anyway.    

·         Why not “give up”  some of the ways you are spending your time.   Stop in your tracks for a bit to enjoy a sunrise or sunset… to share a conversation with a loved one… and to share time with a child.   Perhaps the things that appear so urgent are not so important in the grand scheme of things. 

·         Why not “give up” some habits that are getting you nowhere.   Give up talking before listening.   Give up feeling you always  have  to be right even when you are wrong. 

I am told that it takes three weeks of doing a new thing for it to become a part of your way of life.   While it is good for our health  to give up desserts and such for Lent, perhaps we would be more Christlike and the world around us would be a better place if we would give up some behaviors  during Lent.   I think that if I would “give up” some of these behaviors, I would be giving in to the ways of Christ.      Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,  I confess that I am not the person you have called me to be.  There have been times I have looked like a Christian on the outside, but not been a Christian fully on the inside.   Create a new and clean heart in me, O God.    Help me to surrender myself more fully to you;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.