Do you practice the act of giving up something for the season of Lent? In a study conducted by Lifeway Research, they discovered that three-quarters of American’s do not observe Lent at all. I was initially surprised and later not surprised at all by that. 

In this post, It’s Not About the Chocolate, I want to talk about the fading tradition of giving something up for Lent and, hopefully, give you a different perspective on why this tradition seems to be going by the way of so many Christian practices and why I believe it should be reinstated.

Having grown up in a reformed church, we didn’t focus much on Lent. I’d never heard of this idea of giving something up until I was well into Jr. High, and honestly, I never really got the concept behind it. 

When I married into the Lutheran Church, I quickly embraced the season of Lent and, in fact, fell in love with the Lenten Services. Along the way, I went all-in on the idea of making a sacrifice for Jesus during this season where we are to focus on the sacrifices he made for us. 

But I still didn’t really get what it was all about. I’m sure I could have asked, but it was easy enough to just jump on the bandwagon when others started giving things up for this season of Lent. 

I’ve given up things like chocolate, desserts, beer (that was the hardest by far!), I even tried to clear the clutter in my life each day during Lent one year.  I know many people swear off these things or even get off of social media for the 40 days or many other things one can consider as a sacrifice.

My favorite Lenten practice in recent years has been to take on doing an additional devotional for the season.  Last year a friend shared with me one by Matthew Kelly called the Best Lent Ever. I probably shared it on this show because I really enjoyed it a lot. I’m doing it again this year and am already blown away by the insights I’ve gained and it’s only one week in.  It, along with my regular devotion and this week’s sermon at church, all came together to inspire this post. Whether you participate in the Lenten tradition or not, I hope you’ll read on. 

You see, all three of my resources touch on how Lent represents the 40 Days that Jesus fasted in the desert before his ministry began and how it is connected to the temptations Satan put Him through. It’s been a great learning experience for me and together they’ve helped me see that I’ve been looking at it all wrong. Instead of picking something that would help me focus on Christ, I’ve picked things that have pointed back to me and the sacrifice I was making. 

I can’t tell you how proud I’ve been when I’ve successfully avoided “the thing” I’d given upon each year. Or, on the reverse, how disappointed I was in myself when I couldn’t do it or simply gave up trying. I don’t remember ever taking the time to simply stop and pray about what it was I was trying to do or not do that was so difficult.  I don’t remember ever feeling the need to pray to accomplish my goal. 

But then, I’m a different person than I was back when I started this. I know now that it isn’t about me at all and it certainly isn’t about the Chocolate! God doesn’t care if I eat chocolate or drink beer at all. But he does care if I’m taking care of the body he has given to me and He cares about whether I’m giving Him my attention throughout the days I’ve been blessed with. 

Going back to Matthew Kelly, he talks about instead of giving up some trivial thing that may or may not help us be a little healthier for a while, we should tackle something that will be a game-changer in our life or our spirituality. Something that will have a significant impact on our lives or the life of someone around us. 

I believe that to make the best use of this opportunity, we should not give up something that we fully intend to return to at the end of the season, but instead to focus on a habit that we permanently want to change. Whether it be spending more time in the Word, eating healthier, taking a break from social media, putting an end to our habit of gossiping, or some other thing that could really change our life for the long term. 

Or maybe, it’s something even larger than that for you. Maybe it is letting go of a habit that is keeping you from reaching the dreams you have in your life or picking up the habit of beginning every day in the word and spending quiet time with Jesus and inviting Him to take an active role in your day.  There are so many ways you can substantially improve your life one tiny step at a time. But you have to take the first step.  

God has called us to so much more than we are living today.  Our journey is intended to be a continual process of letting go of the bad in our lives so we can make room for all the good He created us to live. Not good as in more things, but more joy, more love, more kindness. More of Him. 

As a result of this perspective, I was really inspired to go a lot deeper with the 90 Day Challenge I had started the first of February. I’ve been trying to eat cleaner and eliminate a lot of foods that our bodies don’t know how to process. I’ve done pretty well with it, but have definitely stumbled a few times along the way using the same excuses I’ve given myself over and over again through the years. 

But then, when I heard Mr. Kelly talking about how God is calling us to do things with great intentionality, I realized that I was trying, but I wasn’t being very intentional about it.  I was only committed to the extent that it was easy and convenient. But, Jesus didn’t take the easy and convenient route for me.  How hard would it be to make some extra sacrifices to show him how committed I can be and then when I know I am about to stumble, instead of making excuses I pray to Him for strength to stand in my commitment? To pray that prayer over and over again if need be? 

And not only when I’m tempted to eat something that isn’t healthy for my body, but also when I’m tempted to eat when I’m not hungry. Temptation comes in so many forms when it comes to taking care of ourselves. It can be eating junk food, it can be eating when we aren’t hungry. It can also be being overly restrictive and chastising ourselves when we allow ourselves a little grace when we do stumble. 

It’s not about being militant or perfect; it’s about being obedient. But being obedient to God. So ask him what it is he wants you to change. If it’s chocolate, then so be it. But don’t choose that just because it’s what everyone else is doing. Chose it because it will make a true impact on your life. 

You see, for me, it is about doing something I have convinced myself I couldn’t do. That I had to resign myself to this extra weight and sleepless nights because I couldn’t give up some of the things I really enjoy.  It didn’t occur to me to look at the times where I am tempted as an opportunity to stand firm in a commitment I’ve made and tell the devil to take a hike. That, with Jesus by my side, I can withstand his temptation and hold my head high. Not from anything I’ve done on my own, but because I asked for the help that is available to me at all times if only I ask. 

I felt very convicted by this message and realized how important it is for me to obey when God whispers in my ear to do something. So as of this week, I’m starting over. I’m going to continue my challenge, not to see how healthy I can get, but to see how obedient I can be. 

How about you? Is God calling you to a change? Is he asking you if your plan is your plan or His plan? If you aren’t sure, pray about it and ask him. 

As Matthew Kelly said, maybe he’s asking you to change. To not be so rigid, because sometimes we need to change midstream to follow God’s plan to be the best person we can be, or as I prefer to say it, to live our more!

So you see, it’s not about the Chocolate at all.  It’s about becoming a better person. One day at a time.

I’d love to know what you are inspired to give up or take on as a result of this message. Send me a message or leave a comment. And if you know someone who could benefit from hearing this, please share it with them. It could be the best gift you could give them today, 

And if you are really serious about making a big change in your life, you may want to consider joining the Living Your Faith Mastermind Community.  Apply today to see if it is what you need to help you get and stay on track for being the best person you can be in your work and home life. You can find out more about it at vonajohnson.com/mastermind.

Thank you for stopping by today. I know your time is valuable and I appreciate you taking the time to take in this message. I truly believe that its time that we as a society look at the amazing gifts we’ve been given and take then seriously. Gifts like God’s word. Any our church community. And the absolute forgiveness we get to receive over and over again. 

Go, be blessed, and Live your More!