What Does Lent Mean To Me As A Lapsed Christian?

Clare Sellers

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Lent is a time of reflection, of forgiveness and preparation for new beginnings. It invites appreciation of what one has, and of what Christians believe Jesus went through during his 40 days spent fasting in the desert.

For me, a Christian who has been baptised, received Holy Communion and taken confirmation, I must confess that Lent is something often forgotten and less celebrated than that of Easter or any other religious holiday.

Having attended a Catholic primary school for the best part of eight years of my life, Lent had previously been a big religious event in the calendar year, I would go to church often with my classmates and learn about the importance of these 40 days in the lead up to Easter.

To see past the magical egg hiding bunny and the hoards of chocolate

It was important to recognise the reality of Lent and Easter in general; to see past the magical egg hiding bunny and the hoards of chocolate, and to remember what Christians are really celebrating at this time of year. That is to say their ability to resist temptation the way that Jesus had to allow the development of spiritual strength.

When I was younger, like most other Christians, I would choose one thing to give up for the 40 days of Lent. It varied through the years, but it was usually something (sweet) that I happened to be obsessed with at the time.

A particularly tough Lent and thoughts of those blackcurrant flavoured lollipops plagued my mind

I recall this one year specifically that I had chosen to give up lollipops, the one thing I had been craving just then. It was a particularly tough lent and thoughts of those blackcurrant flavoured lollipops plagued my mind, but my nine-year-old self powered through, mostly because I was constantly reminded of the reason for this colossal sacrifice.

Though I may have slipped through recent years, sometimes forgetting to choose something to give up for Lent altogether, I am determined to take part this year and practice resisting temptation as my much older self. Which then begs the question: what will I be giving up this time around?

I’ve put a lot of thought into this question, and there a lot of options, mostly edible ones. Chocolate – I couldn’t possibly part with it for more than a week. My old friend the lollipop – it would be rude to try and play on this again when I am honestly not that into them anymore. Meat – that would be leaving myself starved as it is practically the only thing I eat for main meals.

So, all of that considered, I can now reveal the winner of my Lent contest. I will be giving up crisps. It’s hardly going to rock the religious holiday, but crisps are something I find myself eating multiple times a week. As such an easy grab and go snack, they are really just convenient and also utterly delicious. While it may not be a challenge for some, it definitely will be for me.

Others are forced to give things up every single day of their lives

After having not taken part for so long, I am anxious for Lent to begin because I know how difficult it will be to not eat the one thing you know you shouldn’t eat. Isn’t that always the way? I seem to get it every single year on Good Friday, the one day a year Christians are not permitted to eat meat I happen to get an overwhelming hankering for a sausage roll or some other meaty snack. Now times that by 40 and you can imagine how tough that could be.

It seems daunting to spend almost six weeks without one of my favourite comfort snacks, but I can acknowledge how gigantically lame that sounds. It’s one thing to give up, whilst others are forced to give things up every single day of their lives, due to all manner of circumstances. That is why I find Lent to be the perfect time for reflecting and being grateful for the things I do have, and why I am eager to set myself the challenge of coming back to it.

Featured image courtesy of Photo by Thays Orrico on Unsplash. Image license can be found here. No changes have been made to this image.