Death to Self

Lent is not something I celebrated much growing up in the Free will Baptist church. I have attended Nazarene Churches, Church of Christ in Christian Union churches, Vineyard Churches...again never really participated in Lent. Why is that? I think that the separation from the "high Church" liturgical system was more important than the heart of the practice. Or that the biblical merit was not there. What could be more biblical than a symbolic or functional death to self by giving up something we can do without and refocus on Christ. Fasting, alms giving (giving to the poor), and prayer have long been associated with the Lenten period.

I have thought long and hard about what to give up during this period. I have decided that I am cutting down my idle time (mostly on the internet). Spend more time reading scripture and praying. I'm hoping, rather than a 40 days period proposition, that this one sticks! Death to ourselves is harder than we think...we are all so full of our selves in one way or another....we are innately selfish! I am the worst! I work on it daily. If something makes me uncomfortable I avoid it like the plague. I pursue or gravitate to those comfortable ideas, places, food, music, etc....

I think the Lent period ties in nicely with our recent discussions of the missional life...Its all about living for Christ and not ourselves, joining Him where He is at work..(.most likely not on our couch) or in our own little bubble. Lent could certainly be a way to train or prepare ourselves to live more missionally!

Romans 6:11-12

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires