Wednesday, March 4

Psalm 55 and Luke 4:22-30

Giving Up, or Giving Over?
Kerri DeRosier

I have to admit: growing up, my practice of Lenten ritual was somewhat -- rudimentary. I do remember giving up potato chips when we studied Lent in UMYF many, many years ago -- but note that I didn't give up Nacho Cheese Doritos, my favorite vice.

Although I ate not one potato chip, the sacrifice wasn't significant, because I didn't give up something that truly meant something to me.

What has meaning? Caffeine? Wine? Gossip? What really qualifies as worthy of giving up for Lent? What if we all simply gave up negative thinking?

I look at Lent as an opportunity for self reflection. Not necessarily for giving up, but for giving over ourselves to God. It's something we should really do every day of the year.

What we should also look for in the Lenten season is the faith that God will save us -- because he saved Jesus. That's the message of Psalms 55, even though it was written before the time of Jesus. David the King is shouting to God because his friends have betrayed him. He's looking for some refuge from the storm." He says, "Give up your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them."

I think that's the point of Lent -- to not necessarily give up potato chips -- or Nacho Cheese Doritos, for that matter -- but to give up your burdens so you are fully ready to celebrate the miracle of Easter.

Kerri is a freelance editor and writer living in Point Loma. She grew up at St. Mark's Methodist Church in Clairemont. After taking a few years off from regular church attendance, She and her husband Dave decided to join First Church when their daughter Sarah was four -- because they had heard about the great youth program here! Kerri sings in the Contemporary Singers and Masterworks Chorale, and enjoys bike rides, cooking, and good books.