I have to be honest. I was totally skeptical about this Lent thing. It is not something anyone I knew well ever practiced, nor something I understood. Anything I might give up would, of course, seem silly in comparison with the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. How could a few weeks without sodas or chocolate or television really change the way I worship or celebrate Easter?
I believe I was approximately 4 days into this experiment the first time I heard myself praying, "Lord, Jesus, I really do love you more than crunchy tacos and Diet Dr Pepper ... please get me past this craving today." It wouldn't be the last time.
With over two weeks of Lent left to go, I can say in all sincerity that this often-amusing season of sacrifice has been one of the most revealing practices of my adult life. I'm humbled by just how weak I am. I'm amazed by how swift and strong the temptation to trade my worship for so many lesser things captures my attention. I'm embarrassed that when it came time to decide on what I'd give up, there was such a long list of possibilities. I am spoiled.
And, I don't remember the last time I was this excited about Easter. Not because I can (FINALLY) satisfy a silly craving, but because all these revelations have served to continually and repeatedly turn my heart toward my Savior, toward the magnitude of His sacrifice, toward the hope of Easter. Resurrection. Redemption. Eternal Life. Because this season of going without has served to stir up a longing in me for the satisfaction only He provides. Because Easter is a single day designated to celebrate the reality Christians walk in every day.
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