It’s that time of year. Someone always asks: “What are you giving up for Lent?”
My usual answer is “nothing”. I don’t tend to do that kind of thing. But this year, the question has got me thinking. It has got me wondering whether maybe I’ve given up too much already and that my challenge for the next few weeks is to give up giving up…
So no giving up sweets or ice-cream (which remain very much at the centre of my diet!) But I’m becoming increasingly conscious that I’ve already given up too much of what is really important.
Like the first-century Christians found at Laodicea, it’s so easy to let passion for Christ dwindle and become lukewarm (Revelation 3 v 16). Evangelism in the local community; prayer for non-Christian friends who don’t seem like they’ll ever be interested; reading the Bible simply because we can listen to the inspiring words of our friend and Lord; these are the things which can slowly fade out of life.
Yes, there’s no doubt about it. I’ve been giving up on way too much in recent months.
Here’s what I’m doing this Lent. I’ve texted a friend and asked them to pray that I would “never be lacking in zeal, but keep [my] spiritual fervour, serving the Lord” (Romans 12 v 11). I’m giving up giving up.
If you’d like to join me on my hastily-arranged Lent campaign to give up giving up, text a friend that verse now and ask them to pray; and if you like, share what you’re giving up giving up in a comment below. That way, hundreds of people can pray for you… and you for them.
