GUEST COLUMNIST

Lent is the solemn Christian religious observance in the liturgical year commemorating the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, before beginning his public ministry. (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; Mark 1:913) It is said it takes 21 days to form a habit, so lent season should be a deeper life changing event. I would honor this time and prepare myself to fast a small sacrifice and pray to God help me through the 40 days.

I would carefully think of something I could give up without much temptation for it. But that’s all it was, a race of time. I could not wait until the 40 days was over so I could indulge in my “sacrifice” and basically go back to my old self.

I then found myself really thinking about this. Lent is a period of 40 days of repentance and reflection as we prepare for Christ passion and resurrection by making small sacrifice such as fasting.

Fasting to me is not only giving up on chocolate it should be giving up anger, jealousy, addiction, etc., things that take away time with God. I have come to the conclusion if I do the 40 days, I should consider sacrificing something in my life that causes hindrance and get rid of it by truly repenting and reflecting how better my life would be without it. Giving up on sin should be done every day not just in Lent season. We all may have rough edges to take care of, it is not too late to make a change.