Among my friends, it tends to be a toss-up: chocolate, alcohol or social media. They’re the three things that do the most noticeable damage to their waistlines or their ability to progress through their to-do lists and Lent is an ideal time to give them a break. Sometimes there are benefits: increased health, a few extra pounds in the wallet and a shift of emphasis from Candy Crush to quality time with elderly relatives, temporarily at least … Come the end of April they are usually back to multiple nibbles and the latest addictive game.
I should probably point out that I am no better. My laudable attempts to stop faffing abouton my iPad are usually short-lived and bear little spiritual fruit.
But Paul, in the third chapter of his letter to the Colossians gives us a striking list of things that God wants us, as Christians, to be giving up permanently. Most of us struggle with some of them – even if only inside our heads. These are things that do serious damage to our relationships with God and others. Getting rid of them from our lives – or even just taking a step to reduce their occurrence - really would make an amazing difference to our spiritual lives.
So, this year, if you’re going to give something up, why not pick an item for God’s agenda?
It will require more than a spot of self-control and a willingness to avoid the confectionary aisle but through confession, having our mind transformed as the Spirit illuminates God’s word to us and with the prayerful and practical support of our friends, real change is possible … And wonderful!
