Why lent?

So, let me ask you all my friends. Why do you do lent?

It's entertaining (to me) because I always ask people what they are doing for lent. Is this really the right thing to be doing? Isn't the 40 days of lent truly fasting?

People who are reading may not be Christian, maybe you are, but I love this Bible verse from Matthew 6v16 - 18

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Do I give things up for lent for my own glory? Do I do it to make me look good? To make me FEEL good?


Well, let's look to why people fast first. People fast because it's a big thing in their life. I love food. I think about food a lot.


If I fast food, I will think about food. BUT, if I am fasting, I want to be praying to God. Let's say I am about to take some sort of test. I have revised but want God to be present while I do this test. When I think of food, I will pray.


Couldn't that be the same for lent for people who follow God? 40 days of being reminded to pray when we think about the thing we've given up instead of trying to get people to feel bad for us because we've given up something like bacon or coffee.


Here's the challenge: Don't talk about what you are giving up. I am trying to do this. I am trying to do it in secret so that God gets the glory.


Dan