The Things We've Given Up

Giving things up for Lent is a fairly popular practice.  Though by no means mandated by Scripture, many people take the opportunity of the forty days of Lent to practice self-denial or end an unhealthy habit. 

These are things we may choose to give up, in order to improve our health or our lives or our relationships.  Popular things to give up for Lent include caffeine, desserts, an hour of extra sleep, or other luxuries.

What have you given up over the years, outside of Lent?

Perhaps you’ve given up a job, for your children. Maybe a hobby, for your family. Maybe you’ve given up things you used to spend money on (clothing, electronics, eating out?) for better financial management. Maybe an unhealthy relationship or lifestyle, for personal growth.

In our spiritual growth journey, there are things we must give up, in light of Christ’s sacrifice. Those things that get in the way of our trust in our Savior.  Galatians 5:24 reminds us, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful flesh with its passions and desires.” We must get rid of our willful sinning, the products of our sinful nature.  We must also lay down our egos and sense of self-sufficiency, because “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) We have no hope on our own, no rescue that we can achieve with our own stubbornness.  We must lay down any pretense of DIY redemption to make way for Christ’s sacrifice. Therefore, we also give up our control to an Almighty God. 

“But now, Lord, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are our potter. All of us are the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

Joyfully, there are the things we get to give up because of Jesus.  We can get out from under sin and guilt.  We can put aside weariness and doubt and spiritual exhaustion.  We can permanently stop despair. Our Savior has invited us to, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  (Matthew 11:28) We can set down all of those things at the cross and leave them there, and say with the psalmist, “Blessed be the Lord. Day by day he bears our burdens. He is the God who saves us.” (Psalm 68:19)

May the Lord bless your Lenten season with spiritual peace about what we’ve given up.