Today begins Lent, a 40-day period preparing to celebrate Easter. Lent, perhaps, is best remembered as a time to give up something; to deny self. Why? The answer may surprise you.
C.S. Lewis said, "If you asked 20 good men today what they thought the highest of the virtues, 19 of them would reply, unselfishness. But if you asked almost any of the great Christians of old he would have replied, Love. ... The negative ideal of unselfishness carries with it the suggestion not primarily of securing good things for others, but of going without them ourselves, as if our abstinence and not their happiness was the important point -- The Weight of Glory."
The world certainly needs more unselfish people. More than a few firefighters, police officers, medical personnel and soldiers are needed. Nothing less than a tsunami of unselfish people is required to change the culture of self-indulgence prevalent wherever economies allow it. Selflessness, however, is not the end goal. Rather, it is the means to an end.
The point of self-denial is to focus on loving Jesus and others instead of exclusively ourselves. When we are outward looking instead of mirror gazing, we see the hurts and needs of others. We reflect on how our surplus of time, our talents, are financial surplus could help lift others out of homelessness, depression, sex trafficking, hunger, and disease. Unselfishness enables us to give more. And, we will give more to Christ and others when we desire more for ourselves, enjoy it and then pass it along. It becomes an upward spiral.
The serendipity of this path is we have more when we give more. It rarely is received tit for tat or even quickly. Journaling may be the best method of seeing that over time those who are generous in their praise, time, talents, and financial giving, receive more promotions, have more friends and in times of need find a deeper broader support network as a group. Life is better when lived unselfishly; focused outward rather than inward.
This is not the message or sales pitch usually heard in culture. The advertisements, people habits at work, home, and neighborhood largely consist in stepping on the other guy, not lifting her up. It is about getting my share before worrying about anyone else. How much do I need before I share? John D. Rockefeller famously phrased how much is enough when he said, "One dollar more."
Therefore, Lent is a precious tool to remind us of what is really important; relationships over stuff. Love of self and love of others. John Wesley encouraged Christians in his day to "Make all you can. Save all you can (be circumspect in what you spend on yourself). Give all you can."
C.S. Lewis reflected, "It would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
Lent is not about desiring less for you. It desires more for Christ and all He died to save; for you and through you. Ask for more that you can give more. Be sure to give when blessing comes your way. May we not be "far too easily pleased!"
-- Dr. Randy Rowlan is pastor of First United Methodist Church. Comments are welcomed at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Religion on 02/18/2015