Whenever I mention the season of Lent, I am told that "Baptists don't do Lent". Well, why in the world not?? The point of Lent is to get in the mindset to prepare our hearts for Easter. Lent should remind us of the suffering that Christ suffered. Baptists believe in Christ's suffering, so, why not celebrate Lent? Growing up, I was always confused as to different people's penances. I think that somewhat, it has become somewhat of a diet plan or a challenge to say that you can go without something for 40 days. I have never been sure as to how that makes the suffering seem real to us.
In the past, I have chosen very specific things. For example, one year, I gave up an hour of sleep in the morning to do Bible study before going to work. This year, I have given a lot of thought and prayer into my penance. Time isn't something I have much of these days. I have no desire to give up junk food or chocolate.
In my previous post, I mentioned my dwelling on Philippians 2:14. "Do everything without grumbling or arguing." I haven't been able to get it out of my head! Everytime I want to gripe, "Carmen, don't complain." Then the Message version surfaces, "Do everything readily and cheerfully-no bickering or second-guessing allowed." Now, not only do I not get to complain about it, I have to be cheerful?! Are ya kidding me Paul?! I briefly thought, "There's no way I can give it up for 40 days! Just impossible!" I prayed and prayed about it and still hadn't reached a decision. What if I messed up? Would I ruin the season of Lent?
This past weekend, Lee and I took a group of middle schoolers from our church to Junior High Convention. I've been there tons of times, and I know the drill. I knew what to expect in the challenges to these students. "...to these students" being the key phrase. These conferences are made to evangelize and disciple the 11-14 year old mind. Us, chaperones are just there to be sure they're not texting during the service and to take them to mall during free time. All was well and good until worship on Saturday. "It is Well" was sung and the phrase "...whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, 'it is well'...." Wow. Whatever comes my way, my heart should say "it is well". Not to complain about it, but to proclaim God's goodness through my situation. But what if I can't do it?? I mean, I don't want to let God down! Cue the next song: "our God is greater, our God is stronger, God, You are higher than any other." You could have knocked me over with a feather.
So, here we go! Lent starts Wednesday. I'm going to try my hardest to not celebrate Fat Tuesday by engaging in countless amounts of my penance. ;)
