“What Are You Giving up for Lent?”
Probably many of you have been asked this
question especially around this time of the year. The data for 2016 isn’t yet
complete, but we can easily assume the top five things people would give up:
school, meat, sweets, coffee, and soda always complete the top ten.
Many Christians give up favorite food or
hobby this time. Why do we Christians feel that we need to give something up
for Lent? It has to do with spiritual disciplines. Pastor Donald Whitney
describes spiritual disciplines like this: The spiritual disciplines are those
personal and corporate disciplines that promote spiritual growth. They are
habits of devotion and experiential Christianity that have been practiced by
the people of God since biblical times.” Recently, I watched the film, titled “The
Himalayas.” It is a story of how one man and his expedition team go to the Himalayas to find the dead body
of one of the team members based on a true story. In order to make the film and
build up their bodies, all of the cast members had to train for the hike at
least 8 hours a day. In the same way, spiritual disciplines are to build up our
whole being to be in shape and in tune with God. This is the purpose of spiritual
disciplines: be in tune with God; be in communion with God.
Be Careful of “Heartless” Religion
But this doesn’t happen automatically. It
requires intentional efforts. Paul says, “All athletes are disciplined
in their training… So I run with purpose in every step. I am not
just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it
to do what it should” (1 Cor 9:25 -27, NLT). We need to
develop holy habits and discipline ourselves to be in constant communion with
God. But at the same time, we must guard ourselves from the dangers of “heartless”
discipline, i.e. “legalism.” In the gospel lesson, Matthew 6, Jesus cautions us
to be careful of “heartless” discipline. Jesus here gives us three examples: Giving
to the poor, prayer, and fasting. They are all wonderful ways of spiritual
disciplines from the Old Testament tradition. But the thing is that in Jesus’
age the religious leaders practiced those disciplines before people, to be seen
by them. Jesus didn’t tell his disciples that they should stop doing those
practices. Instead, he said that they must do it with sincere heart, with
pure heart, before God, not before men.
Giving to the Poor, Prayer, and Fasting
I would like to revisit these three
spiritual disciplines, that we may practice them to spiritually grow and enjoy
communion with God. First, “Fasting.” When we hear the word, “fasting,”
some of us think that it may not a good idea because of different health
issues. What is “fasting”? Why are we fasting? Fasting concerns voluntary abstention
from food. But it is much more than just skipping the meal. It reflects our
determination that we will not live by bread alone. We fast to be free from our
desire and wants. We fast to depend more on God. If this is the purpose of
fasting, instead of focusing on what cannot be had, we may try to eat healthier
to be in tune with God. We may try to eat more veggies and drink more water in
order to have a clear mind and sound body to be in communion with God. Second, “Prayer.”
Our prayers are a spiritual communion with God through means of thanksgiving,
adoration, supplication, petition, and confession. But for many of us, the
problem is that it is very hard to find the time to pray. My suggestion is that
we may make a vow to wake up 15 minute early to pray before staring the day. If
you decide to fast, you may use that meal time as your prayer hour. Third, “Giving
to the poor.” Why is it important? It is because an act of mercy and
justice to our neighbor is the surest sign that we love God. The Bible says
without loving our neighbor, we cannot say, “I love you God” (1 John 5:20 ).
Here the problem is that many of us feel that we are already stretched and can’t
afford to do more. But if we closely examine our spending, we may find some
areas to save more. Let us think about our spending habits, our hobbies, eating
out, shopping, etc. For instance, if we decide to skip sweets for Lent, we can
save there and help PCC with that money.
Prayer of Moses
For Lent, it’s not necessarily for us to
give something up. Instead, we may try to add a little more of something: We
may resolve to eat healthier. We may make a vow to wake up early to pray. We
may save money as we can in order to give to the needy.
But again, we need to be very careful not
to fall into “heartless” discipline. The best antidote to legalism is to
remember who we are before God. That is the reason why we are here today. The
ashes remind us who we are. It clearly tells us that our life is not permanent.
It tells us that we are finite creatures. When you have ashes on your forehead,
they will be gone. Like the ashes, we will be gone shortly. We have to prepare
for death. We have to think about those questions: What on earth am I here
for? Where am I heading to? If we examine ourselves (who we are) seriously,
our spiritual disciplines may not easily fall into legalism. I would like to
close my reflections with a prayer of Moses, Psalm 90:
Lord,
you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
Before
the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world,
From
everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You
turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.”
The
length of our days is seventy years – or eighty, if we have the strength;
Yet
our span is but trouble and sorrow;
For
they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Teach
us to number our days aright,
That
we may gain a heart of wisdom.
May
the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
Establish
the work of our hands for us
Yes,
establish the work of our hands.
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