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For millions of people across the globe, Wednesday nights during the six weeks before Easter are filled with an opportunity to worship together in observance of Lent. From meat to alcohol, or chocolate to cigarettes many spend these weeks in fasting, or denying themselves something they would usually have. This is done as a symbol of sacrifice to God.
Until 1863 England had a law forbidding the use of meat, fish, cheese, butter, eggs, or milk during Lent. People who broke this law could be fined or even imprisoned. As a result, some traditions were established in order to clean their house for Lent.
One such tradition is known as Shrovetide - which is the English name for the three or four days before the Lenten season. As a result, “Collop” Monday and “Shrove” Tuesday were Established. On Collop Monday small pieces (collops) of meat were eaten, and on Shrove Tuesday Pancake meals were eaten, ensuring the use of all the butter, eggs and milk found in the house.
“Shrove” means to confess one’s sins and receive absolution. People were expected to prepare for Lent not only by having a clean home, but a clean heart as well. Today we may not follow the strict dietary rules of the past, but Lent should still be a season where we evaluate our lives, confess our sins before the Lord and receive His Forgiveness.
Whereas lent is traditionally thought of in terms of “giving something up;” it can be a great time to add some things to our life as well. Simply, feeling sorry, acknowledging, or even vowing to forsake our sinful and destructive habits does not ensure their permanent absence from our life. Yes, our guilt before God is wiped away, but if left un-replaced by something positive, it is likely these habits will return.
The apostle Paul taught the same thing in Ephesians 4:22-24 “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
As we confess our sin, and “put off” the desires and actions of the flesh, we are told to “put on” Christ: His nature, His righteous, His holiness, and His actions. Philippians instructs us to “Have His attitude” and further on in Ephesians four we are given an example of what this looks like: put off Falsehood and speak truth - Don’t let anger steep but seek reconciliation and resolution - stop stealing and work, giving back to those who are in need - put off unwholesome talk and speak only things that build people up - rid ourselves of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling, slander, and malice. Replace them with kindness, compassion, and a forgiving attitude, just like God forgave you in Christ.
Just as Christ has taken your sin, let Him replace it with attitudes and actions reflecting His own. Just don’t give something up this Lenten Season, let Christ add something in your life as well.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25
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