Lent

No, I am not Catholic, but I am taking part in Lent. When I was a senior in college I gave up lunch for Lent. I didn't just give up eating lunch, but sitting in the student union building hanging out or watching soaps with my roommates and instead went back to my apartment to my bedroom and spent that time reading the bible, praying or listening to praise music. It was my first time taking part of Lent and it was an awesome experience, not because of what I sacrificed in food or time with friends, but because of what took it's place -time alone with my Savior.

I remember my friend Kim in elementary school giving up corn for Lent and that still strikes me as odd. What's the point of giving up corn? How did that glorify God or bring her into a closer relationship with Jesus? What is Lent's goal anyway? I have never read anything about Lent in the bible. I have celebrated Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter with great meaning without Lent. The only biblical connection I found to Lent was Jesus' fasting in the wilderness for 40 days before the events leading to His arrest, trail and crucifixion. I did not however find anywhere that we are commanded to do likewise. Communion or The Lord's Supper however, Jesus does direct us to do in remembrance. I do believe thought that it is good to follow Jesus' example and don't need to be commanded to do every little thing. In addition, going back to personal experience I believe Lent can be a good thing when it is done intentionally and not just out of habit or because everyone at church is doing it.

If you look up Lent, the internet will tell you that the Catholic definition of Lent is "A fast of forty days preceding Easter, . . . . . . a season of mourning, and hence the Church has always strongly discountenanced festivities of all kinds during Lent. Lastly, the body is mortified, in order that the soul may be invigorated ..."

Since 1998, I have done Lent some years and skipped it others. I guess that is a benefit of not being Catholic, I don't feel guilty for not doing it, but I can't make the most of it when I feel like it is something I should do, like this year. This year I have decided to give up potatoes for Lent. That sounds so Irish Catholic doesn't it? I will not be giving up meat on Fridays because really that just seems silly to me and not an act of worship. Since I won't be fasting completely for 40 days like Jesus and I am following a man made rule for a man made observance I am doing this my way to try to get the most out of it spiritually for myself. (Please don't be offended, if you are a strict Lent observer. Just know I am trying to follow the intent of Lent if not all the details)
So 40 days, no potatoes. No chips, no fries, no mashed potatoes. My goals:
1) Refocus on treating my body like a temple of God as I am commanded.
2) Give a small sacrifice to remind myself what Jesus did suffer, physically and spiritually for the 40 days he was in the wilderness and then through judgement and death.

I admit, giving up potatoes sound just as silly as my friend Kim who gave up corn in the 5th grade. Giving up potatoes is going to be a little difficult, we eat a lot of them around here. Just last night Brent asked me when I was making potato skins again. Making my menu for the next 6 weeks will require a little more thinking and that thinking will lead to remembering and the remembering to praying and praising God for sending his Son and praising Jesus for doing the unthinkable and willingly suffering and dieing for me. Silly, not so much.