I recently read this post on Facebook:

Yeah! I am a winner at Roll up the Rim! I won the invitation to "Please Play Again.”
Comment: You misread it ... it says please pray again.

We can easily fall into the trap of advertising campaigns. We jump at the thrill of the purchase, especially if there’s a chance of winning something. Like what, a free donut? Free? Pardon my sarcasm.

It is interesting to note that the Roll up the Rim campaign is all the rage during our Christian Celebration of Lent. Lent in the Christian tradition is the time in the liturgical year leading up to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is to encourage Christ followers to meditate on the death and resurrection of our Saviour through 40 days of prayer, penitence, and self-denial. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert before the beginning of His public ministry, where He endured temptation by Satan. Lent may be marked by fasting and prayer. During Lent, some people give up a vice, increase their devotional time, or sacrificially give money to charity.

It’s easy for me to say that I would give up Tim’s coffee for Lent because I strongly dislike coffee. What could I give up for Lent? Dark chocolate? I guess the real question is whether giving something up during Lent would have any deep meaning. It is a very personal thing, as is fasting.

When we read the beautiful Scripture in Isaiah 53, we cannot help but think about our Saviour’s sacrifice.

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. … Surely, He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows … He was pierced for our transgression, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed … He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.”

Jesus was willing to give up everything, and at such a cost. It was a complete and total sacrifice. What are we willing to sacrifice for our Saviour?

Susan Page is the daughter of the King, His beloved child, wonderfully forgiven and blessed! Susan longs to age gracefully, becoming more like Jesus as she seeks the hidden treasures revealed to her through Scripture, literature, the arts, humankind, and nature.