Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. Growing up Church of Christ means never celebrating Lent. Honestly for much of my life I only knew “Lent” as that stuff that accumulates in one’s navel or in the dryer. It was only when I got to high school and talked to some Methodist friends of mine, who told me what Lent was. The idea about Lent is an interesting concept. It means giving up something for 40 days until Easter. However I really can’t subscribe to it. I mean here’s how I see it: Jesus died on the cross for my sins……and to say “thank you” I give up Cheetos for 40 days(?) It just doesn’t make any sense. There is no way I could repay my God for salvation, so why even do something as meager as giving up chocolate? I’d say if you are going to do it right, then you should do some fasting. In a biblical sense “fasting” is going without any food, not just chocolate or Cheetos. Fasting also makes use of prayer and bible study.
I’d say if the people who celebrate Lent feel closer to God by giving up a particular food, then it is probably a good thing. However subscribers to Lent need to understand that Lent itself is not a Biblical concept. Lent is a celebration which developed over time with the traditions of the Catholic church. Sometimes traditions can get in the way of serving God, especially when we start subscribing to traditions without taking into account Biblical examples.