Adopt a spirit of delight this Lenten season

In Europe, Mardi Gras, also called Karneval in German speaking countries, is a big thing. It is a time not only for public drinking, dancing, parades and partying, but it is also a time to make fun of political figures. As my wife and I watched the media coverage of this year's Karneval, my wife said, "They don't do that where my mother lives, in Hamburg, Germany."

"Why not?"

"They only have it where Catholics are in the majority."

"Why?"

She laughed, "Think! It's because the Catholics have to give up anything that might be considered fun for Lent!"

I began asking people I know, both Catholics and Protestants, what they were doing for Lent. Almost every one said they were giving up something. One woman said she was giving up chocolate. A man said he was giving up coffee. Another said she was giving up pop.

Fasting, or giving up something for Lent, is supposed to be a way of vicariously entering into the sufferings of Jesus Christ as he prepares for his crucifixion. Yet I fail to see how giving up sweets and caffeine can be compared with the sufferings of Jesus. Perhaps giving up smoking, drinking, watching TV, or some other real and deep addiction might get a person a little closer to what it might have meant for Jesus to give up his whole life for us. Yet, if we give up that which we ought to give up anyway in order to lose weight, feel better, be more healthy and improve the quality of our life, is the end result really suffering? Is there a better way for Christians to try to get in touch with the Spirit of God and the spirit of Jesus Christ?

When God was in the process of creating the world, God said that his creation was good seven times. The passage in Genesis concludes, saying, "And God saw everything he had made, and behold it was very good." Obviously God was and is delighted with everything he made. Likewise, the earth and all those who dwell therein are to rejoice in all God's blessings. Regarding God's salvation, the Psalmist testifies:

"Let the Heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, let the sea roar and all that fills it, let the field exalt and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy before the Lord: for he comes...” Psalm 96:11-13

In Jesus Christ, God came into the world in a new and different way. Open the Gospel of Mark. Jesus came into Galilee preaching with enthusiasm, "The Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent and believe in this good news!"

He spoke with authority. Drawn by his charisma, people flocked to him. They came to listen. They brought their sick. Everyone was amazed. Obviously, His was not a spirit of suffering, but a spirit of delight! Delight in his calling. Delight in his intimate experience of God. And delight in the people whose spirits caught on fire through the laying on of hands and the power of his teaching and preaching.

It is true that Jesus did suffer and die on the cross. He knew that this would be required of him. But the Apostle Paul wrote that we should look ". . . to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross." Hebrews 12:2

I am convinced! If you really want to get closer to the spirit of Jesus, adopt a spirit of delight!

Dr. Greene is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and a resident of Richmond, IN. He is also the author of Benjamin's Dog Joseph, Feeling Better: The Wisdom of the Doc, You Can Feel Better: How to cope with chronic pain and physical disabilities, and co-author of Walking Free: the Nellie Zimmerman Story.

For further information about his books, please visit www.densmorereid.com

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