A lot of people say there's a fine line between genius and insanity. I don't think there's a fine line, I actually think there's a yawning gulf. You see some poor bugger scuffling up the road with balloons tied to his ears, he's not going home to invent a rocket, is he?
Bill Bailey (I just though it was funny)
It can be hard to write about my faith, but sometimes it's the most important thing going on in my life, so here goes. Feel free to skip this one.
Every year Lent comes around and I feel compelled to address my sundry addictions. I have usually successfully resisted any temptation to address my personal shortcomings or to attach any spiritual significance to the still small voice urging me to progress my faith through sacrifice, wilfully attempting to believe that my actions (or lack thereof) had no bearing on my faith (or lack thereof). In church on Sunday morning lent rolled around again, today being Shrove Tuesday and tomorrow being Ash Wednesday. For some reason or another it played out rather differently this year. I felt a strong and specific conviction, like God was saying to me "Hey, get off your spiritual backside and do this, it's not an empty gesture but a meaningful personal sacrifice and I will bless you because of it. Stop hiding." It feels like taking these 40 days up to Easter is an opportunity to intensify my Christianity. The way I see it, faith is a journey not just a moment. I started being a Christian when I said "OK God, you're the boss" but since then I haven't really done much to move forward. It's been like getting past the bouncer at some great nightclub and then standing by the coat check all night. Sunday felt like a call from God onto the dance floor of Christianity, where all the fun is. In this bizarre bar analogy, I will be the designated driver because I'm giving up alcohol for lent. This is a HUGE deal for me, and I've always shied away from it before, partly because I was scared of failing and partly because I love drinking. Not being drunk, you understand, just having the odd beer or malt or glass of wine, but I do love it. Maybe I loved it more than I loved God. Now, if God really is as fabulous as he must be, then surely he should be worth doing this for? I'm also going to try fasting on Ash Wednesday before going to church and trying to learn a bit of the bible, Isaiah 53.
One thing I have yet to decide about is Sundays. Lent is the period of 40 days running up to Easter Sunday not including Sundays, so Sundays don't count. I don't know who decided this, some Pope or other a long time ago, but those seem to be the rules. I don't know whether allowing myself a beer on Sunday will be a pleasant treat or whether it will feel like a necessity I have to promise myself all week to get through the dry days. If it's the former, that's great. If it's the latter I will be a little concerned that I've developed a real dependency while I wasn't looking. We'll see, and I'll keep you all posted on how it goes.
Next year, if I'm really up for it, I might try coffee. Now that would be a challenge.
My concluding thought on the matter is that Easter should be a bigger deal for Christians than Christmas and I don't think it has been for me.
Every year Lent comes around and I feel compelled to address my sundry addictions. I have usually successfully resisted any temptation to address my personal shortcomings or to attach any spiritual significance to the still small voice urging me to progress my faith through sacrifice, wilfully attempting to believe that my actions (or lack thereof) had no bearing on my faith (or lack thereof). In church on Sunday morning lent rolled around again, today being Shrove Tuesday and tomorrow being Ash Wednesday. For some reason or another it played out rather differently this year. I felt a strong and specific conviction, like God was saying to me "Hey, get off your spiritual backside and do this, it's not an empty gesture but a meaningful personal sacrifice and I will bless you because of it. Stop hiding." It feels like taking these 40 days up to Easter is an opportunity to intensify my Christianity. The way I see it, faith is a journey not just a moment. I started being a Christian when I said "OK God, you're the boss" but since then I haven't really done much to move forward. It's been like getting past the bouncer at some great nightclub and then standing by the coat check all night. Sunday felt like a call from God onto the dance floor of Christianity, where all the fun is. In this bizarre bar analogy, I will be the designated driver because I'm giving up alcohol for lent. This is a HUGE deal for me, and I've always shied away from it before, partly because I was scared of failing and partly because I love drinking. Not being drunk, you understand, just having the odd beer or malt or glass of wine, but I do love it. Maybe I loved it more than I loved God. Now, if God really is as fabulous as he must be, then surely he should be worth doing this for? I'm also going to try fasting on Ash Wednesday before going to church and trying to learn a bit of the bible, Isaiah 53.
One thing I have yet to decide about is Sundays. Lent is the period of 40 days running up to Easter Sunday not including Sundays, so Sundays don't count. I don't know who decided this, some Pope or other a long time ago, but those seem to be the rules. I don't know whether allowing myself a beer on Sunday will be a pleasant treat or whether it will feel like a necessity I have to promise myself all week to get through the dry days. If it's the former, that's great. If it's the latter I will be a little concerned that I've developed a real dependency while I wasn't looking. We'll see, and I'll keep you all posted on how it goes.
Next year, if I'm really up for it, I might try coffee. Now that would be a challenge.
My concluding thought on the matter is that Easter should be a bigger deal for Christians than Christmas and I don't think it has been for me.
3 comments:
Well done Mr. Denton,
-It's good to know who you are, feel good about it and be proud to share your faith with others.
-Lent does not mean you have to give something up but something that you give and do better at.
-If you choose to enjoy a beverage of choice remember with good faith, Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them"
-Lastly, Easter is a bigger deal than Christmas for Christians. After all Easter is when it all began....."on the third day he rose again"
I think I've said enough now, how did I do?!
Roberta
I'm obviously a very poor excuse for a Christian as i never consider giving up anything for Lent not since sugar and recently coffee. I merely try to see the good in people and help if I can.I believe the 10 commandments are a good and healthy code for living. I know my God loves me which is why I'm good at what I do.Fair play to you though. Ive said before to you that I'm closest to god when I'm being physically and mentally tested either at work or play
In my own limited experience Church is full of social Christians and people of habit.I am cynical I know
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