"... we have the mind of Christ” I Corinthians 2:16

For the second year in a row, I was planning to give up specific things for Lent. Basically, I was going to give up “sweets.” Like last year, I was going to refrain from partaking of what I called the “5 C’s.” That would be candy, cookies, cake, chocolate, and coffee. So, you may be wondering how well I am doing with this? The answer is, “Not very.” Let’s just say I have relaxed my standards a bit. Maybe, it is a case of stress eating from all of this coronavirus stuff swirling around us. Maybe, it is having no place to go, or people to see. Maybe, it just being indoors more and home watching television at night. After all, desperate times call for desperate measures. The point is, I have not adhered to my own wishes to give up sweets for this Lenten season. I suppose I should feel bad about this. I guess I could feel guilty about this. I might find myself even being embarrassed. However, the Bible says, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Ain’t that the truth?! 

What I have decided, for better or for worse, is to cut myself a break for Lent 2020. I am going to let myself off the hook a bit. Think about it, we have all been basically forced to give up things. We have given up meeting together, shopping at the outlets, eating in restaurants. Someone told me that they feel like a “caged bird.” We have given up a lot of things. They just happen to fall during the season of Lent. 

My thought for today is, what would it look like to take on things instead? Rather then worrying and obsessing about giving this or that up, to instead take on things like praying more, connecting more imaginatively, and using our creative juices for the kingdom of God. Friends, in order to do that, we need the mind of Jesus Christ. The mind of Christ allows us to think clearly, wisely, and as the people of God, in the midst of the battles and struggles we face every day. This means that God’s word is true and that it guides our life and faith. It means, that we anchor our beliefs in the life-giving word of the holy scriptures which teach us how to have a mind for Christ. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your mind.” One Bible translation of Jesus’ command is, “and with all your intelligence.” The proof of your faith is not your status, but your life in Christ. The power of Christianity is not a creed, but your character.

So what are taking on for Lent and beyond this year? Try taking on the mind of Christ, and when you are transformed by the grace of God’s spirit, and convicted in his word, -- then you will the recipient of a new life in Jesus Christ. And friends, this will make all the difference as we forge ahead in these unprecedented times.