Oh Lord, who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, Collect for the First Sunday in Lent
I have been thinking a lot about Lent this past week, mostly about the practice of “giving something up for Lent”, and mostly because a few good friends decided to give up drinking (with the one day exception of another friend’s wedding next weekend). I know they are giving up drinking because we all had to go out for drinks on Tuesday, in order to beat Lent, which began on Wednesday (“Ash Wednesday”).
I can’t remember a time of actually giving something up for Lent. For the friends who practiced it – mostly Catholic friends – Lent vows often looked like a second cut at New Years’ resolutions. Later, I came to appreciate (and could well articulate) the basis for Lent in the Christian church, but still never felt the urge, desire or need to participate. (I grew up in evangelical strands of denominations that continued the practice (Presbyterian, Episcopalian); accordingly, it has been interesting to observe friends from other strands of American evangelicalism “re-discover” such practices which I may have taken for granted).
All this to say, this year I am doing it. I will tell you what I am “fasting from” so you can help encourage me (and keep me accountable). And I will tell you why. I am giving up sweets – including ice cream and cookies – because these can become a crutch and a comfort to me. As my roommates from law school and from San Francisco can tell you, I used to have a bowl of ice cream every night before bed. I am also giving up beer, which can also be way to avoid stress. Honestly, what better way to end a day than watching SportsCenter or the Daily Show and sipping a cool beer? I am also working through a Lent devotional, with daily readings to remind myself why I am “fasting” from these things.
Neither of these things – sweets, beer– is bad. But each can become a crutch and a way of avoiding or numbing myself from the issues of life. And while there is never a good time in life to be numb, Lent, of all times, seems an appropriate season to remove some of the props, be more alive, to be more free. The decision to deny myself these things is a reminder of a higher loyalty as I go about my day. It is also a reminder that I can and should exercise self-discipline (which I give myself far more credit for practicing than I actually practice). A friend observed this evening that we are people who generally get what we want when we want it. Latte? Ready in two minutes. Pizza – delivered in 30 minutes or less. Trip to Greece? Just jump on the internet and book a ticket on your credit card. Lent is a season to put into practice saying “no” to myself. I want a beer, but cannot have it. I want some ice cream, but must tell myself no.
In saying “no” to myself on these small things (and granted, for less than a week now), I have realized a few things. First, there is something freeing about disciplining myself in this way, as I remember I am not simply the sum of my urges in action. Second, I realize I have been much lazier in other areas than I care to admit. If I can tell myself “no” to eating ice cream every day, I can also tell myself “no” when the sarcastic comment comes into mind, before it comes off my tongue. And if that is true, then it comes more sharply into focus at least some of the behavior I have “excused” in myself is there only because I do not exercise self-restraint. Third, I start to see there is a bigger world out there – a world of people who probably do a better job saying no to some of these things than I do. I want to live in that world – and by telling myself no, I create more space to say yes to others.
I don’t know if you are “giving something up” for Lent – but if this resonates, I would challenge you to consider abstinence from – a fast from – something that might be numbing you right now. “Even now,” declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting . . .. ” Joel 2:12 “When you fast . . . .” Matthew 6:16.
Hey Paul - great to read this today... needed this! Thank you.
Posted by: Bethany Hoang | February 12, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Great post.
Posted by: Harvey | February 12, 2008 at 02:28 PM
The critical question is, where was that pic taken?
Posted by: Mike Wojcik | February 18, 2008 at 06:22 PM