Lent

I've been thinking a lot about Lent.  One question I hear a lot is "What are you giving up?"  I hate this question.  I think so many people have no idea why or what it means to do this.  So in short, I'm giving up nothing.  In my Lenten devotional I read a really neat paragraph that said 

First popularized in the fourth century, Lent is traditionally associated with penitence, fasting, alms-giving, and prayer.  It is a time for "giving things up" balanced by "giving to" those in need.  Yet whatever else it may be, Lent should never be morose - an annual ordeal during which we begrudgingly forgo a handful of pleasures.

  Instead, we ought to approach Lent as an opportunity, not a requirement.  After all, it is meant to be the church's springtime (Lent literally means "spring") a time when out of the darkness of sin's winter, a repentant, empowered people emerges. 

Our self-sacrifices serve no purpose unless, by laying aside this or that desire, we are able to focus on our heart's deepest longing; unity with Christ.   From Bread & Wine Readings for Lent & Easter.

I am going to do something that draws me closer to God and unity with Christ.  I've been so put off by the "giving up of things" because of watching others do it.  For example, in college one year I watched a girl say to her friend "Oh f**k I can't eat meat it's Friday."  Really!  You don't get it.  Also, my personality maybe just doesn't match with the giving up of something.  I would love to give up sin, but Christ already did that for me.  My sins are forgiven.  If I were to give up something, it would need to be something that would carry on even after Lent.  Giving up pop, chocolate, sugar, whatever just doesn't make me feel closer to God.  Yes, I realize that when you think of those things, you think of Christ did for us, but in the back of my mind, I'm counting down the days until I can eat it again.  Could I give it up forever?  I have thought of fasting before, because it's immediate, it would be a minute by minute reminder, it just seems different for me.

So, if I'm not giving something up, what am I adding?  I'm adding a daily devotional.  The book "Bread & Wine".  I hope that after this time, I will continue this and that by doing this for 40 days and thinking of these things that I would be able to feel closer to God.  Which is the whole point of "giving something up" right?  To feel closer to God.  Maybe someday I will feel called to give something up, but it seems I could gain a lot by "adding something" instead.