Lent Losers

The Lenten season is upon us. I'm not part of a tradition that observes Lent and have no desire to do so, but I can respect the concept.

So I have trouble respecting those who do it half-heartedly.

Lent isn't a weight loss regimen. Most people I know who observe Lent give up things like bread or caffeine — things Jesus doesn't care about. Yes, it's a season for self-denial, but make it meaningful.

I encourage these people to give up favorite sins like cussing, gossip, or extramarital sex (the last making me less than popular). If you can give up cussing for 40 days, odds are pretty good you'll be able to give it up altogether. Isn't that better than losing five pounds?

If you don't have a habitual sin you can give up (it's hard to give up pride for Lent), try adding a meaningful activity. Pray, read the Bible, or actually fast Fridays and give the money for those meals to the poor.

Make Lent less about Biggest Loser and more about being like Jesus.