lets get real

i work at an episcopal church, though i am not part of that denomination. over the past few days i have heard much talk about lent. i had people asking me if i was going to be fasting and heard others talk about what they were giving up for lent.

all this just baffles me really. the whold ritual of putting ashes on your forehead and fasting and giving up something for lent. i don't agree with it. i know a lot of people find comfort in such rituals, but i think this is the same type of thing Jesus talked against in the Bible. Matthew 6: 16-18 clearly says, "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." by putting a black ash on your forehead and talking about what you are giving up and how it will be hard is not keeping it in secret. it is saying, "look how Christian i am". and that is NOT being authentic.

why do that on that certian day anyway? because some random church leader back in the day said so? did Jesus say "40 days before Easter you MUST put ashes on your head and give up something to show me you are sorry for your sins". no. nowhere in the Bible does Jesus say anything like that. i understand if someone really feels like God is wanting them to fast or give up something and doing that. i say that is wonderful. definitely listen to God and follow His commands. but don't just do it because the church tells you do, because some leader says so. why do people just accept these things? why is there no questioning about all the ritualistic crap going on in the church? where is the authenticity? do people really thing God wants them do something because some church leader told them so? i think God wants His people to listen to HIS words, and not someone elses. so many times Jesus spoke against things just like this and people can't step outside their box for a second to see they are just like that.

i wish that people would just let their passion for God and His glory lead their lives. i wish people wouldn't get so wrapped up in the rituals. i wish people could just be authentic in their faith. people need to stop playing church. so many pews are filled with empty hearts.. so many prayers full of empty words... and the worship is just a mindless action. worship is all the time- it should be a response to how unbelievably Glorious God is. and we should all try to live our lives as an out pouring of that. it is so not about us. it is truly all about Him. and we really need to start living that way.