Friday, 24 February 2012
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Beware of Lent: Fasting for Courage that Lasts
By Tom Zuniga
I never grew up in the religious tradition of Lent. For the longest time it seemed an enslaving exercise void of passion or purpose–something you had to do, but didn’t really want to do, if you were being totally honest.
Over the past couple years my thoughts toward Lent have softened and changed. I understand better the significance of Easter for all mankind, and I get the sincere desire to orient and dedicate one’s heart toward God, especially during this season of haunting remembrance.
What I don’t understand is returning to old ways as soon as the last Easter egg is found.
I’ve been there too many times, fasting from plenty of things only to fall into old destructive habits soon after. I’ve never fasted during Lent, but this year, however, will be the first that I officially “celebrate” it. Does one “celebrate” Lent? Is “suffer through” Lent more accurate? I guess I’ll find out for myself.
I imagine most Lenters will be giving up desserts or meat over these next 40 days. For many, it will be technology; so long, Siri.
For me, it will be food. But I won’t be going totally food-free for 40 days. Just every Sunday. I’ve actually already been engaging in this practice the past couple weeks as a means of better focusing on God, because well, that’s been hard lately. Focusing on God. I’ll also be going internet-free each Sunday since, well, the internet is the epitome of distraction.
Truth is, I have a lot of scary stuff on the horizon. My finances are a little shaky, my relationships are a little shaky, I don’t know what my address will be in six short months, and most of all, I’m going to be responsible for a cabin of precious kids this summer.
While 2012 hasn’t started out as my most courageous year, I’ve recently started uncovering glimpses of courage through fasting and finding renewed focus on what really matters.
And so I look forward to these Sundays between now and Easter, and perhaps every Sunday all the way until my summer job hits. Hey, I’m a first-time Lenter; I’ll figure this thing out my own way.
I’m excited to grow–grow in faith and grow in courage. But I’m being cautious. Because if this 40-day fast becomes about seeing how long I can last while racking up a macho streak, I’m probably better off just sipping that cup of hazelnut coffee with a Panera cheese danish as I scour Facebook and the blogosphere while jamming out to some Hillsong United.
Whenever this fast ends, be it Easter Sunday or Sunday Before Camp, I pray my faith and courage extends far beyond the ritual, penetrating the core of my relationship with Jesus, giving me wings to soar deep into this courageous year.
Are you celebrating Lent this year? Do you mind sharing your experiences with Lent in years past or what you’re giving up this year?
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- From: twoBex
- Name: TMZ
- Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
- About Me: I'm a 24-year-old tutor, writer, and wanderer. Check out my blog at http://thomasmarkzuniga.com. There may or may not be free lollipops.
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Comments (3)
The purpose of Lent is to build Christian virtue. Virtue consists of habits of excellence. Christian virtue then is life in Christ.
I don't formally observe Lent, but I agree with the concept of this post. The reason I don't do it formally is not that I don't believe in fasting or changing things in my life, but that I believe in doing it at all times, whenever God shows me what needs to change, rather than during a particular period of the year. It's totally true that if it becomes all about the item we're giving up and has no lasting effect on us, it's pretty pointless.
This just changed my perspective some. I didn't grow up practicing lent either. But, it's an interesting "coincidence" that Lent has coincided with a kind of revival in my life recently, and there have been things I have given up quite unintentionally because of that. Things that aren't bad, that it's usually ok to enjoy to some moderation. But I honestly haven't even desired those things the past few days. So, instead of feeling like I'm forcing an issue (fasting, Lent, or whatever) - where I just keep craving whatever it is I'm giving up until I make myself miserable or go running back to it and feel worse (could say that about a lot of things) -- it's more of a meditation on God and what he's doing with me right now (with my job, relationships, and new opportunities for growth) -- making those things I'm "giving up" feel like they don't really even matter. It's brought me closer in so many ways. I've been in this place before, and I know I'll fall again, but right now it's a good place to be. Maybe that's what Lent should be - not about the things (so if hunger's a distraction, eat), but God. So why stop?