Less Is More

The season of Lent starts today, and during the weeks leading to Easter, many Christians focus on Christ’s sacrifice by giving up something considered delightful or enjoyable.  The idea behind the action is that our small sacrifices continually remind us of His big ones.

Jesus gave up heavenly glory to reside on planet Earth.  He gave up the adoration of angels and the perfection of Paradise to face the taunts and jeers of doubters and deniers.  And, in the end, He gave up His body and soul to bring us to Himself.  Such sacrifice is worth way more than forty days of focus, but six weeks is a good start.

Though we should meditate and marvel on this every day, an honest confession most of us could make (me at the top of the list) is that sometimes we take our salvation like we take running water—for granted.  We know it’s a big blessing, but not often enough do we stop at marvel that with the turn of a knob, the very substance essential for physical life comes flowing out—clear, clean, steady, and ready.  Granted, the comparison isn’t close, but not often enough do we stop and marvel that the salvation needed for spiritual life is poured out on us graciously and constantly from the heart of our ever-loving, always faithful God.

Simply put, intentionally giving up something during Lent helps us marvel more.  The daily refrain from an activity we usually engage in or an item we regularly consume prompts us to praise the One who gave up so much good for our good.  The purpose is not to be miserable but for the break in routine to refocus our desires on His delights.

So if you’ve given up a hobby, spend your “freed up” time in God’s Word.  If you’ve given up interaction on social media, increase your connection with God through prayer and reading.  If you’ve given up sugar, find the sweetness of Scripture like you’ve never tasted before.  If you’ve given up carbs, discover anew that the Bible is more sustaining and fulfilling than any bread could ever be. (One of my girls suggested giving up school for Lent, but her mean mother quickly nixed any such idea.)  The point isn’t what we give up, it’s that we give up something as a small but sincere reminder of how much Christ sacrificed for us.

And just perhaps during these days of less, we will find ourselves filled with more—more love, more joy, more hope, more praise, and more awe of the God who loves so much He gave—and gave up.