Lent: from good to better
Have you ever given up something good to get something even better?
When I was a boy, I can remember people saying, “I’m going to give up ice cream for Lent.” Or “I’m giving up an hour of TV a week for Lent.” Or “I’m giving an hour each Saturday to help my elderly neighbor for Lent.” At the time, I wondered why people did those things. Since then I’ve learned that the money saved from the ice cream was often given to The Salvation Army, Red Cross or another worthy charity. The time saved from TV was often used for personal reflection, Bible study and prayer. and the time given to help the elderly neighbor often blessed the giver more than the receiver. In each situation, people had learned that giving up something good often resulted in receiving something better.
Have you ever made a real sacrifice for something greater than yourself?
Athletes work hard and make personal sacrifices so the team can win a championship. Parents sacrifice to provide for their children and help them discover their purpose in life. People leave their homes and families to help those suffering from global disasters like the earthquake in Haiti. Again we wonder why people do such things and eventually realize they are moving from good to better.
Do you ever move beyond what’s good for yourself to what’s good for your family, your community and your world?
When everyone looks out only for him- or herself, life becomes isolated and lonely — no family, no friends, no community. When everyone focuses only on community, personal rights are often sacrificed and individuals fall through socialistic cracks. But when you and I know our neighbors and love our neighbors as ourselves (notice the balance), we begin to move from good to better — a life where people voluntarily choose to care for one another.
The season of Lent (from now until Easter) is a time to look at ourselves, our relationships with God, and our relationships with one another. it is a time to ask how we can move from good to better. How we can receive and share life abundant and eternal. How our giving up some things can actually result in better things for all of us. How less is sometimes actually more.
The season of Lent invites us to openly and honestly examine the life of Jesus — especially his last 24 hours. As we do, we see him giving up good for better, sacrificing for something greater, and moving beyond himself to save the world. At a time when evil seemed to be winning, Jesus conquered evil and death — giving us a hope that sustains us and a courage that perseveres.
In short, Lent prepares us for Easter and resurrection living in the Spirit of Christ — continually moving from good to better.
The Rev. Doug Gilpin is the pastor of First Christian Church in Kearney.
