Every year for the last 19 years, I’ve been giving up eating meat for Lent. For those who don’t know, I’m a carnivore which is why God brought me to Alberta, instead of BC.
My annual ritual on 12:01 am on Easter Sunday is to eat bacon with the family. This year, once again, it was so satisfying to have this treat after 40 days of sacrifice. But then, as I reflect on this, it was not really a sacrifice compared to what Christ went through for me.
Suffering and sacrifice is necessary to cleanse us and mold us into true servant hood. Jesus was so focused on His Father’s will even to the end when He said, “It is Finished”. When things get tough whether in service or in life, do I just give up and say, “that’s it I’m done”. I guess I do most of the time. Jesus did have a choice to give up on us but despite the most painful punishment, He continued on because we were worth it.
Father, thank you for loving us first and for showing us, through your Son, how much we mean to You. May the spirit of Lent live within us not just for 40 days of the year but in very second and minute of our lives. Amen!