Fasting is an important part of Lent, I just feel I have been missing, and so do many others, the mark on what our Lenten disciplines (those things we fast for 40 days) are all about. Even though this is my favorite time of year in the church because of the emphasis of self-examination and preparation for the resurrection celebration, I will say I despise the question, "So, what are you giving up for Lent?" I often ask myself is this a question for a later relationship of accountability or a question of curiosity? (Matthew 6:16-18) Fasting these things we decide to give up are great, but it is what we replace them with, that matters (great example in Daniel 9:3). We give things up, we take things on, but do we give someone up, ourselves?
However, we must remember that our Lenten disciplines are supposed to ultimately transform our entire person: body, soul, and spirit. Our Lenten disciplines are supposed to help us become more like Christ. Eastern Christians call this process theosis, which St. Athanasius aptly describes as "becoming by grace what God is by nature."
Steven Clark, , always said, "Lent is more than a diet." As you take on your lenten discipline, remember that is more about gaining spiritual maturity and righteousness, something I hope to accomplish. I pray that it is more than a 40 day focus, but a lifetime work, what I like to call a "Beautiful Struggle."
I have a great friend of mine who is currently undergoing to daniel fast (read about it: http://www.daniel-fast.com/). He started out full fledged with a great plan, and then realized it was starting become more about rules and regulations, instead of growth, discernment, and holiness, which I can say about many of the fasts I have done. I support taking something on or away for lent, I just pray that we can honestly come through with a closer relationship with the one who gave His life. That lent becomes "more than a diet," but a way to come to the cross a changed disciple of Christ. To me, Lent is not about putting something down, it is about putting someone down: myself. May we give our life to the One who gave it all for us!
Awesome article. I think the FIRST thing we Christians should do about this whole Lenten discipline thing is to have the conversation with the Lord about what He wants us to either give up or take on. Based on conversations I've had over the years, most people seem to go with what THEY think their Lenten discipline should be. There were many years before I started consulting with God about all this spiritual growth stuff that I would dutifully do exactly as you said; give_______up for Lent, only to return to it (greedily and happily) once Easter morning arrived. It's sad that so many of us get wrapped up in the "outward and visible" and forget about the heart work that the Lord wants to perform; The daily process of becoming more like Him and less like the wretches we are. (I've actually spent many a Lent in the middle of summer or winter.) My prayer is that we all seek what He wants in our lives and not confine the work He so desperately wants to do in us to 6 weeks in the spring.
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