“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.” Romans 3:25
Growing up Catholic, I believed during the formative years of my childhood that the reason why we abstained from meat on Fridays was to understand Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. We abstained from meat to better understand what giving up something for your faith means. However, my junior year of high school taught me a lesson I’d never forget. One of the nuns at my school, sister Janice, told us that we abstained from meat during Lent not to understand sacrifice but because there was a disease at the time that had wiped out all the cattle. To preserve the cattle and allow them to reproduce again, people abstained from meat for 40 days.
I was shocked to learn this new revelation. After I became a born-again Christian, that revelation always left a bad taste in my mouth. Whenever Lent comes around, I avoid making sacrifices because I equate it with the fallacies surrounding why we abstain from meat. However, I now realize I don’t have to make that a defining moment. I can still practice sacrifice during Lent.
First, I can still uphold the tradition of abstaining from a particular food during Lent. Although it doesn’t necessarily have to be meat, I can refrain from having sweets, salty snacks, or junk food during Lent. This is the first way I can understand sacrifice. I take for granted that I can open my fridge or pantry door and eat whatever I want. People in third-world countries do not share this same luxury. By abstaining from my favorite food, I am reminded every time I open the fridge that God has blessed me with his luxury, which he can take away at any time.
Second, I can still observe the tradition of sacrificing additional luxuries for Lent. As a kid, I struggled with what to give up. I loved dessert, so sacrificing chocolate or sweets was a huge sacrifice for me at the time. I can still sacrifice sweets during this Lenten season or choose something else. I can abstain from social media, television, music, shopping, or anything else that can be a daily reminder of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
For example, as someone who likes to listen to 80s music, I can listen to only worship music for the 40 days leading up to Easter. This would prepare my heart more readily to celebrate Christ’s great sacrifice. Sacrificing social media might change and soften my heart and transform my mind. As a result, I may grow in the fruits of the spirit and align my thoughts with Scripture. I can also stop watching television with content that goes against my values. Watching PG or G-rated content may cleanse my thoughts from all the language and violence that television provides.
Third, I can practice expressing my love to others throughout the season. I can express love to others just as Christ expressed his ultimate love through death. I can choose to handwrite a note to someone special each day. I can give a gift or bless someone with a small token of appreciation. I can send an e-mail and encourage someone each of the 40 days. There are many ways in which I can express my love to others. By sacrificing my time, I can let loved ones know exactly how I feel about them.
No matter how I choose to practice the gift of sacrifice during Lent, God will be honored. This practice will enhance not only my life but also the lives of others. I no longer see it as a hindrance or associated with a false teaching. Instead, I can see it as an opportunity to deepen my faith, grow spiritually, and genuinely understand Christ’s deep love for me.
How do you celebrate Lent? Do you uphold the tradition of sacrificing something during Lent? How can you practice the gift of sacrifice during this Lenten season?
Father, let us be people who better understand your great sacrifice. Let us give up our worldly luxuries and trade them for a more intimate knowledge of you. Let this Lenten season be when we know you more intimately and express love more deeply for others. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
What specific way can you and your spouse choose to practice sacrifice during Lent?
By practicing sacrifice, how do you think you will more intimately know Jesus?
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Michelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor’s wife, and mother. She is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services and host of The Spritual Reset Podcast. Her new children’s book Hall of Faith encourages kids to understand God can be trusted. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog. For more info, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.com.
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