During high school, I loved the church season of Lent (the time leading up to Easter). As a way to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us, most of my Catholic girlfriends would “give up” eating dessert, which meant I generally got extras. Back then, my hips could handle the added sugar.
Though I enjoyed the extra sweets, I thought my friends’ practice of giving something up for Lent was silly. It seemed to stem from believing they had to do something to earn God’s favor. I knew salvation was a gift of God’s grace, and no matter how many desserts they gave up, God would not love them more than he already did.
Reflecting on my friends’ Lenten practice, I now sometimes ponder, “What would I be willing to give up for God?” Not to earn his favor but because I love him. Giving something up implies making a sacrifice, which is defined as “an act of offering something precious.” Would I be willing to give up something that is truly precious to me for God? I don’t know about you, but I can’t even consistently give up a few hours of TV watching to spend more time with him.
What a relief God is not like me! He was willing to give up something precious. He “did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all” (Romans 8:32). God sacrificed his holy, precious Son because we are also precious to him.
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About the Author
Jan Gompper
Jan Gompper spent most of her career teaching theatre at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee. She also served six years as a cohost for Time of Grace during its start-up years. She has collaborated on two faith-based musicals, numerous Christian songs, and has written and codirected scripts for a Christian video series. She and her husband now reside in the Tampa area, where she continues to practice her acting craft and coach aspiring acting students as opportunities arise. She also assists with Sunday school and other church-related activities.