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Why Lent Is More Than Just Giving Something Up

Lent should be a time of spiritual growth, not just sacrifice.

Laura Reed

Feb 28, 2017

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Why Lent Is More Than Just Giving Something Up

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While most people are excited for the festivities of Mardi Gras coming up, they do not pay any mind to the true meaning. Mardi Gras is not just for partying, eating king cake, and parading around town in colorful costumes. Mardi Gras is celebrations between Three King's day and Ash Wednesday that prepare us for Lent. Three King's day celebrates the revelation of God in human form and Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten season

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Every Ash Wednesday, even days leading up to it, you hear, “I’m giving up soda” or, “I’m giving up cursing.” However, Lent is not just a forty day break of something that we plan to continue after Easter Sunday. The true meaning of Lent and “giving up” something is giving up something for Him, who gave it all. Forty days represent the days Christ spent fasting in the desert before giving His life for us. Lent is for sacrificing something for our Savior who sacrificed His life for us. No one said it would be easy, but the Lenten season is a time to grow closer to God.

Although Lent is for us to sacrifice something, we should also commit to doing a little extra as well. Whether it is participating in a Bible study every week, helping a family in need, or giving more to the Church, we should do a little extra to grow closer to God.

Lent gives us 40 days to truly ask God for guidance and forgiveness. It is a chance to stay away from distractions and temptations so we can grow closer to Him. While Lent is a big deal, so is what it is preparing us for, Easter.

Easter is not for getting a basket of candy and dying eggs. Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ Jesus. It is indeed a joyous holiday. It is an ending of a sacrifice made during Lent and celebrating the resurrection of our Savior!

While partying and celebrating Mardi Gras is fun, keep in mind the true meaning as we prepare for the Lenten season.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Why Lent Is More Than Just Giving Something Up

Lent should be a time of spiritual growth, not just sacrifice.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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