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When I was growing up in the South, the Season of Lent was not considered all that important, at least not in the church where I was raised. But you know, even then, we all knew that Lent had to do with making some kind of personal sacrifice for about seven weeks. For example, one might decide to stop watching television or to stop eating chocolate or to stop going to the movies. You see, it was about giving something up. And I’ll tell you, even non-lent observers knew this, just like we also knew that, if you wanted to fudge on the sacrifice, you could give up something you really didn’t like doing anyway, you know, like listening to really long, boring sermons or eating collard greens or hitting your head with something hard. Now, when I was a kid, that was the extent of my understanding of Lenten sacrifice. You see, for me, instead of doing something positive, Lent was the time to stop doing something enjoyable. And because of that, it had absolutely no appeal to me as a child.
Of course, since then, I’ve grown in my understanding of what Lent is all about and how it can be used to identify with the suffering Jesus experienced as he approached the cross. And in some of the churches I’ve served, I’ve encouraged folks to make the same kind of sacrifices I saw people make when I was a boy. In other words, I’ve come to appreciate how and why giving up something for Lent can be meaningful.
But suppose, just suppose, we decided to expand our perspective just a little bit. In other words, instead of just making some kind of personal sacrifice so that we can identify, in a very small way, with the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, suppose we also made the decision to do something positive, something beneficial, in other words, something that we’ve all been created, called and commanded to do; suppose this was how we chose to approach Easter. For example, suppose we made the conscious decision to honor and to thank the one who died on the cross by simply doing what he commanded his disciples to do when he said this:
My children, I will be with you for only a little while longer. Then you will look for me, but you won't find me. I tell you just as I told the people, “You cannot go where I am going.” But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples. [John 13:33-35, CEV]
In other words, suppose this was our focus. And then suppose we turned to the Apostle Paul to define what love is all about and found these words he wrote to the Corinthians:
Love is patient and kind,
never jealous, boastful,
proud, or rude.
Love isn't selfish
or quick tempered.
It doesn't keep a record
of wrongs that others do.
Love rejoices in the truth,
but not in evil.
Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
and trusting.
Love never fails! [1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, CEV]
Simply put, suppose that, for the next forty-six days, we decided that we’re going to do something positive, namely to be loving and kind to everybody regardless of how we feel about them or whether they agree with us or not. I mean, instead of just giving up television or chocolate or movies, things that, at best, will only benefit us, suppose we decided to live as though we really believe that Jesus meant it when he said, “Treat others just as you want to be treated” [Luke 6:31, CEV]. I’ll tell you, if we all decided to do this together, just imagine how that decision would impact our families and our communities, even our country and our world. My goodness, not only might it become an example that others can follow, who knows, it might even become a habit that we’ll maintain well after Easter.
Of course, I recognize that folks who understand and value this season will continue to make personal sacrifices during Lent, and if they have the right attitude, I believe doing this kind of thing can be incredibly meaningful. But this year, let’s also do something else. As we move through this time together, let’s be intentional in applying the words of Jesus and loving others as we’ve been loved. In other words, as we move toward Easter, let’s do something positive for Lent.
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