The Uncommon Christian

With 80% of the nation considering themselves to be Christian in some form or fashion I assume that many Americans participate in Lent. My family and I have attended numerous churches, 12+ churches of varying denominations, and all have encouraged participation in Lent. Not only is participation encouraged, but advertisement of what is being sacrificed, or given up, for lent is expected. Most people taking part ask the ever popular question, “What are you giving up for lent this year?” Lent is meant to be a ritual commemorating the sacrifices made by Jesus as he wandered the desert for 40 days. He had no luxuries and fasted for those 40 days. Traditionally, lent was a 40 day long fast in which most foods were given up and additional luxuries were sacrificed. Today, most people choose one thing to refrain from for 40 days. I myself am guilty of this. The one time I participated in Lent I gave up added sugars. That’s all. There are many reasons to fast; mourning, celebration, honor...

While driving to work I decided to listen to the radio. It’s something I do almost every morning and normally it’s just music or the hosts making random comments about what’s trending/popular today or what they’ve seen on the news. Occasionally you get a personal update on their family life or a little story. Even Christian based radio stations follow the same style. This was a little different, though. Maybe it’s something they do every day and I just didn’t notice because my mind is on family, work, kids, or one of a million different things…but this; it hit me like a brick. The radio station had a recorded segment where a random preacher came on to talk about the Bible and Christianity. He started his segment by talking about how people go through hardships. We all suffer. We all struggle in some way. I don’t remember word-for-word what the guy said but his final comments were what stood out to me, “We need to make a change. Things won’t start changing until we start praying.”...