I'm Not on a Diet.

Lent is here. It's a cherished time in my life, to be honest. Well, maybe I'd like to say that more than I really mean…

Either way, I've been pensive regarding this holiday season. What does it mean? What purpose does it serve? Why do we do it?

Usually, I just give something up for these 40 days and feel pretty spiritual about it. I give up pop or dessert or eating between meals … really, I just go on a diet and selfishly say it's for my Lord. It's not. It's for me. It feed my pride and starves my stomach; and my flesh has always loved both sensations.

So this year, I'm doing something different. Instead of taking something away, rather than removing something from my diet or my day, I'm adding something. I've decided for these forty days to take time to ponder the season of Lent. I'm setting aside about a half an hour to an hour each day to think on the suffering of Christ, to feel the weight of the nearing of Good Friday, to write prayers and thoughts of these dark days.

It's different I know. And no, I can no longer be considered one of the "super spiritual" among the congregation because I'm not on a diet. However, I'm struck by how dark these days are. I'm reading through the Texts on these days leading up to His execution. He's eating with His men, He's talking with crowds, He's healing the sick and forgiving sins. You know, that's not what I would do if I knew I only had a month left to live. I'd withdraw, pull back, overeat, over spend. I'd be with the people who made me feel good about myself and those who always affirmed me. He didn't. He just didn't.

So, if you're up for it, I'd like to invite you to join me in this season. To pray along with me the prayers that will come. To feel the weight, to bear the pain … well, to suffer just a little bit. And in doing so to remember the Suffering One.

I don't think this will be simple. I don't think it will be all that easy either. And I know we won't be able to stay the same.

And that's the reason word "Easter" was first inscribed.