Through my time of study on the Lent Season within some denominations of the Christian church, I find myself asking the question:....why?......
There are innumerable amounts of books, reports, blogs, and videos telling the pros and cons of the Lent Season. Some churches say it is of pagan origin, others say it was just another Roman Catholic invention in an attempt to control the masses, while others state is a beautiful time to reflect and examine ourselves, girding up areas of our lives where we can be more Christlike.
Many will express sorrow for their personal sins and seek forgiveness...hoping perhaps they might even repent for their daily actions. Forgiveness...Repentance...is their a difference?
Lent...is it really necessary?
After all, the original concept was a 40 day fast and vigil with teachings in preparation for water baptism...at Easter.
Today, it seems like a mixture of denying yourself a minor luxury with the recognition of how sinful we are as humans. Like really, how does giving up a chocolate candy bar make me more Christian? Or, asking for forgiveness...especially over some sin in my life that has been around for years...make me a better Christian? And, as far as repenting...meaning to turn away from things in my life that do not honor Him...how does one do that?
And then I begin to think...maybe Lent brings those type of questions "to the table"? Lent may have a purpose by asking those questions deep in our hearts...the questions that we have not found answers for...at least not yet.
I really am coming to this conclusion concerning Lent: I think observing the Lenten Season as a Christian is a good thing. I really don't care about whether its origins were of good intentions...or not. What I think Lent does for me is more of a challenge...with this question as my theme for Lent: "Am I serious about being a Christian...or not?"
I like to watch motivational type videos that usually have a number of athletic type people who give their all to achieve what they are after....the best basketball player, the best runner, the best boxer, and so on. The thing that strikes me in all these videos is not only their determination but the hours they spend in training...to get to where we see their results on T.V. or if we are lucky enough...see these performances live!
As I watch the winter Olympics in Sochi Russia, I see results of years of training, and watch the beauty of a skater, a skier, or a sledder that simply are a marvel to behold.
Then I ask myself, am I committed to Him with such passion and determination? Am I willing to do whatever it takes, like these athletes, spending hours, days, weeks, and years in training to perform at the very highest of levels within their sport?
Actually, Saint Paul as an analogy on how we are to pursue Christ...much like professional athletes we marvel at in today's world...through various letters he sent to believers in the New Testament writings. I think Lent can offer us more than just being sorrowful for our sins (nothing wrong with that), and challenge us with this question: "Ok, you are a Christian...what are you going to do about it?"
Check this one out....
In I Corinthians 9 :24-27, Paul even compares his life in Christ to...an athlete! In the city of Corinth, there were games that came every two years at Isthmia, which was located near Corinth.
These games were actually performed in a large "pagan temple", and athletes were required to have a minimum 10 months of highly regulated training...before they were allowed to even participate in these games at Isthmia.
The games included chariot racing, wrestling, boxing, and pankration ( a blend of wrestling and boxing). Also included were musical contests, and even contests of poetry.
Some historians conclude Saint Paul was in Corinth during at least one of these games, and perhaps was a vendor selling tents (Paul being a tentmaker) at the outer entrances to the temple...much like we see at festivals and concerts today.
Here then...is how Saint Paul addresses the believers in Corinth:
A Gleaning from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
" You have all been to a stadium or witnessed athletes competing in various competitions...like a race. It is well-known every runner in a race knows full well...only one will get the prize. In order to enter a race of this magnitude, you prepare and train for the race long before it ever begins...embracing this race with all of your heart...keeping only one thought in mind...this race is mine...to win!
Every athlete who chooses to participate in the race, will do so knowing the demands of training long before the day of the race will be required if he wishes to even have a chance to win. This rigorous training involves conducting himself in a matter that will restrict himself to doing only things that are of benefit to him in preparing for the race...in order to be the very best. And with all this training and denying their bodies the luxuries of leisure, they do so to win a wreath, or a medal, both which either whither or fade in a short time.
We too, as Christians have entered a race...that demands our hearts to be given to training as well...that we might win a heavenly reward...that never whithers or fade away.
In fact, I am in this race...the race to please Him more! I do not run with uncertainty, nor do I run this race aimlessly, or swing wildly in the air, nor am I striking adversaries who are only imaginary. No, rather I train vigilantly, each and every day...giving it all I got...until that day arrives. I buffet my body, use hardships to discipline my body more, and keep my body attentive...to what I want it to do.
After all, I refuse to enter a race...with little training, and then suffer the embarrassment of being declared unfit, and disqualified...before the race has even started!"
Ok...Lent starting to make a little more sense to me... Lent calls out...a Challenge! "Put your lifestyle where your mouth is..."
Oh...and Saint Paul is not done with this....
There are innumerable amounts of books, reports, blogs, and videos telling the pros and cons of the Lent Season. Some churches say it is of pagan origin, others say it was just another Roman Catholic invention in an attempt to control the masses, while others state is a beautiful time to reflect and examine ourselves, girding up areas of our lives where we can be more Christlike.
Many will express sorrow for their personal sins and seek forgiveness...hoping perhaps they might even repent for their daily actions. Forgiveness...Repentance...is their a difference?
Lent...is it really necessary?
After all, the original concept was a 40 day fast and vigil with teachings in preparation for water baptism...at Easter.
Today, it seems like a mixture of denying yourself a minor luxury with the recognition of how sinful we are as humans. Like really, how does giving up a chocolate candy bar make me more Christian? Or, asking for forgiveness...especially over some sin in my life that has been around for years...make me a better Christian? And, as far as repenting...meaning to turn away from things in my life that do not honor Him...how does one do that?
And then I begin to think...maybe Lent brings those type of questions "to the table"? Lent may have a purpose by asking those questions deep in our hearts...the questions that we have not found answers for...at least not yet.
I really am coming to this conclusion concerning Lent: I think observing the Lenten Season as a Christian is a good thing. I really don't care about whether its origins were of good intentions...or not. What I think Lent does for me is more of a challenge...with this question as my theme for Lent: "Am I serious about being a Christian...or not?"
I like to watch motivational type videos that usually have a number of athletic type people who give their all to achieve what they are after....the best basketball player, the best runner, the best boxer, and so on. The thing that strikes me in all these videos is not only their determination but the hours they spend in training...to get to where we see their results on T.V. or if we are lucky enough...see these performances live!
As I watch the winter Olympics in Sochi Russia, I see results of years of training, and watch the beauty of a skater, a skier, or a sledder that simply are a marvel to behold.
Then I ask myself, am I committed to Him with such passion and determination? Am I willing to do whatever it takes, like these athletes, spending hours, days, weeks, and years in training to perform at the very highest of levels within their sport?
Actually, Saint Paul as an analogy on how we are to pursue Christ...much like professional athletes we marvel at in today's world...through various letters he sent to believers in the New Testament writings. I think Lent can offer us more than just being sorrowful for our sins (nothing wrong with that), and challenge us with this question: "Ok, you are a Christian...what are you going to do about it?"
Check this one out....
In I Corinthians 9 :24-27, Paul even compares his life in Christ to...an athlete! In the city of Corinth, there were games that came every two years at Isthmia, which was located near Corinth.
These games were actually performed in a large "pagan temple", and athletes were required to have a minimum 10 months of highly regulated training...before they were allowed to even participate in these games at Isthmia.
The games included chariot racing, wrestling, boxing, and pankration ( a blend of wrestling and boxing). Also included were musical contests, and even contests of poetry.
Some historians conclude Saint Paul was in Corinth during at least one of these games, and perhaps was a vendor selling tents (Paul being a tentmaker) at the outer entrances to the temple...much like we see at festivals and concerts today.
Here then...is how Saint Paul addresses the believers in Corinth:
A Gleaning from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
" You have all been to a stadium or witnessed athletes competing in various competitions...like a race. It is well-known every runner in a race knows full well...only one will get the prize. In order to enter a race of this magnitude, you prepare and train for the race long before it ever begins...embracing this race with all of your heart...keeping only one thought in mind...this race is mine...to win!
Every athlete who chooses to participate in the race, will do so knowing the demands of training long before the day of the race will be required if he wishes to even have a chance to win. This rigorous training involves conducting himself in a matter that will restrict himself to doing only things that are of benefit to him in preparing for the race...in order to be the very best. And with all this training and denying their bodies the luxuries of leisure, they do so to win a wreath, or a medal, both which either whither or fade in a short time.
We too, as Christians have entered a race...that demands our hearts to be given to training as well...that we might win a heavenly reward...that never whithers or fade away.
In fact, I am in this race...the race to please Him more! I do not run with uncertainty, nor do I run this race aimlessly, or swing wildly in the air, nor am I striking adversaries who are only imaginary. No, rather I train vigilantly, each and every day...giving it all I got...until that day arrives. I buffet my body, use hardships to discipline my body more, and keep my body attentive...to what I want it to do.
After all, I refuse to enter a race...with little training, and then suffer the embarrassment of being declared unfit, and disqualified...before the race has even started!"
Ok...Lent starting to make a little more sense to me... Lent calls out...a Challenge! "Put your lifestyle where your mouth is..."
Oh...and Saint Paul is not done with this....
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