Easter Monday 2012 – Reverse Lent
While others have given up things like eating chocolate, drinking coffee or using social media sites, I instead have allowed myself to indulge in the lead up to Easter.
Reference: v.6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. (TNIV Bible)
Explore: This year I have been on a fairly strict diet to get healthy and lose weight. However, in the week leading up to Easter I allowed myself the treat of eating one of my favourite things in the world… Easter Eggs!!
It seems that I have done a reverse Lent! Usually in the lead up to Easter people will give up something significant as a way of connecting with Jesus, who made the ultimate sacrifice when he died on the cross.
While others have given up things like eating chocolate, drinking coffee or using social media sites, I instead have allowed myself to indulge in the lead up to Easter.
The more I think about this, the less guilty I feel. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with doing Lent, I actually think it’s a wonderful spiritual practice, however, I think that if we all did a reverse Lent then our relationship with God would be even better.
Instead of just putting aside one month a year to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice, it would be more appropriate and fitting if we spent eleven months in discipline and sacrifice as a way of connecting with God.
Application: It’s easy for us to stay focussed on something for a short period of time, but Jesus is not just a new fad in our lives that can come and go in one month.
The sacrifice that Jesus made for us can change our whole lives. As an act of worship back to Him we can dedicate one month of our year to Him or we can dedicate our whole lives to Him, giving Him the honour He is worthy of.
Prayer: Lord God, forgive me when I only give to you part time. There is nothing part time about your love for me. May I respond back to you completely and wholeheartedly. Amen.
How much of your life do you feel you are giving back to God?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.