Give it up for Lent

The observation of Lent in much of the Christian world begins this coming Wednesday, February 22^nd. It will conclude on Saturday, April 7^th, the day before Easter. The concept of Lent is one that is foreign to most members of the churches of Christ. However, I believe it is one that ought to be very close to the hearts of every Christian.

            Many people, who don’t observe Lent, believe that the Roman Catholic Church is responsible for instituting this 40 day period of soul-searching and repentance. Others are aware only of the debauchery of Carnival or Mardi Gras that leads up to Lent.

            There is some evidence that a season resembling Lent was observed in the early church. There are references to observing 40 days of fasting (Lent) in imitation of Jesus as early as the late fourth century. In this collection of “Apostolic Constitutions,” the author implores his readers, “…the fast of Lent is to be observed by you as containing a memorial of our Lord's mode of life and legislation. But let this solemnity be observed before the fast of the passover, beginning from the second day of the week, and ending at the day of the preparation” (Apostolic Constitutions, Book V, Section III).

                Certainly the existence of such a document doesn’t mean that we are to enforce the observance of Lent. However, it does serve as a historical reminder that our early brothers and sisters did in fact set aside specific times to re-dedicate themselves to the Lord.

            I am convinced that the times in which we live have numbed us to a certain degree concerning our dedication to the Lord’s work. We often find ourselves so wrapped up in the activities of our secular lives that we neglect even the common courtesy of saying “thank you” before our meals. Our lives are consumed with events on the calendar that have nothing to do with serving God or offering him the best of what we are and have.

            The season of Lent was designed to be a solemn reminder of the promise each individual made when they submitted themselves to baptism for the forgiveness of sins. It was supposed to be a time set aside from the concerns and details of daily life, so that the believers could refocus on their first love.

            I am not advocating that we adopt the rituals of the Lenten season. I am however, putting forth the idea that 21^st century followers of Jesus have got to somehow be truly, “transformed by the renewing of the mind,” (Rom 12:2) instead of “conforming to this world” (Rom 12:1). If that means that you set aside a specific amount of time where you abstain from something that tends to pull you toward the world, then let that be your Lenten season.

            Paul celebrated this idea when he wrote, “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” (Gal 2:20). If there is anything that’s more important than allowing Christ to live in you, please, “give it up for Lent!” You are loved. (Dan Boggs)