ashes, ashes, we all fall down

today is fat tuesday, the day of gluttony observed by those of the catholic faith, as well as anyone else looking for an excuse to binge on anything, whether it be red meat, alcohol, tobacco, etc., on the day before ash wednesday, the start of the lenten season. during lent, a person is asked to give up something that is dear to them for the 40 day period before crucifixion friday. i used to be amused by my classmates that would say "i'm giving up broccoli!", or "i'm giving up homework!" not being catholic, even i knew there was something hokey about that! i remember thinking, "i'm not sure that is how it works," but i always held my tongue. hollywood took a jab at the observance a few years back with the movie "40 days and 40 nights", starring josh hartnett, about a young man who gave up sex for lent, and all of the struggles, hijinx, and temptations that went along with that decision. tonight in new orleans, bourbon street (or rue bourbon for you "saints") is crawling with people partying and binging. how many of them will actually observe lent in the morning, is yet to be seen. having personally been to french quarter during mardi gras, as much as everyone was drinking, i don't imagine they would even want to look at an alcoholic beverage for 40 days!

every year, my wife and i give up something for lent. our church back home in tupelo, ms is also having an ash wednesday service tomorrow. they also observe the advent season, the period leading up to CHRISTmas. "but chris, aren't you baptist?" you ask. the answer is yes. have i given up my baptist doctrine? have i been voted out of the convention? no! absolutely not! as a matter of fact, our church back home is a baptist church. "so why are you observing catholic rituals?" i assume is the next question. if you will give me a second, and not begin the gathering of the deacons to revoke my ordination, i shall explain.

first of all, let me say that i am not one of these people who say that the baptists are right and everyone else is wrong and bound for hell. i just line up with the baptist doctrine more than any other faith. that being said, let me also say that in practice, baptists have a lot of things right, but sometimes we steer so clear of anything related to liturgy and catholicism, that we throw the baby out with the bathwater.

while in rhode island, there were no baptist churches to attend. let me rephrase that, there were no southern baptist churches. there were plenty of american baptists, but those churches in the area have a very bad reputation of corruptness and liberalism. so, while there i attended st. john the evangelist anglican church, and i gained a new appreciation for the reverance paid to the sacred. but going back to the subject of lent, i must explain why i observe it. i must issue a disclaimer in that i do not believe that there is anything salvific in the observance of lent. however, there is a biblical principle that permeates the season of lent: fasting. donald s. whitney, in his book "spiritual disciplines for the christian life" (a must-read for every Christ-follower) lists fasting as one of the most powerful discipline for strengthening your walk with Christ. i observe lent as a reminder and as a preparation of my heart for crucifixion friday (i never understood why they call it good friday) and the subsequent resurrection sunday. (i also do not like the term easter as it is a modification of the word ishtar, a pagan festival of fertility) during this time, i give up something that is a daily part of my life, so that whenever i am tempted to partake in the given up item, i am reminded of the sacrifice Christ made for me in leaving His throne in Heaven to become a ridiculed, poverty-stricken, unpopular, unattractive man in an oppressive government with an ultimate end of torture and abandon, all so i could have a daily relationship with Him. i have given up things such as cheeseburgers (you laugh, but ask my wife how much i love a good cheeseburger), sodas (another hard one, dr. pepper anyone?), and even television one year. did it grant me favor with God? no. did it earn me a spot in Heaven? no. did it mean i was better than others who did not observe it? absolutely not. i am just a sinner, undeserving, saved by grace. however, it did cause me to focus more on Christ and His love for me.

so what am i giving up for lent this year? i respond by saying that i choose to keep that between myself and God, as well as my wife to help keep me accountable. in the Bible, we are told not to broadcast our sacrifices, but to put on a spirit of humility when we fast. this year, even if you are not catholic, or any of the other "catholic-light" versions of Christendom, i encourage you to consider a fast for the season of lent. if you desire a deeper walk with God, i know of no better way. many think of a fast as giving up food and going hungry. that is an extreme version, but there are all kinds of fasts. the point of a fast is to give up something that you will miss, so that during the times that those cravings or longings come up, you can instead turn your focus on God and pray. (an important note: if you are married, and you choose the abstinence route for lent, remember that the Bible says that it must be done in agreement with your spouse. sorry if you thought you suddenly had a better excuse than "i have a headache"!) during the times of longing, instead pray, read scripture, memorize scripture, or sing praises to God (as we see the disciples doing during their many imprisonments). I pray that this lent season will draw you closer to our Saviour and strengthen your relationship with the One who owns everything and gives and takes away! aei pistos!
-C.