WWYSFJ? Or, “What would you sacrifice for Jesus?”

During Lent, Christians are asked to give up something as a way to give justice to Jesus, God, and the poor. However, many people fail to see the true purpose and choose to give up things like chocolate, soda, chips, or junk food in general. They use Lent as a chance to restart their failed New Year’s resolutions.

People are overly concerned about becoming healthier, skinnier, and more attractive instead of trying to become closer with God and more charitable, which are the true purposes of Lent. Giving up desserts or soda is not going to help anyone besides yourself and fails to strengthen your relationship with God.

Lenten promises that consist of pledging to volunteer at Our Daily Bread once a week or praying at least once a day outside of school have more value and are geared more closely towards Lent’s ultimate purpose: dedication to God. By volunteering at a charity, you are helping the less-fortunate, and through prayer, you are building your relationship with God.

While there is nothing wrong with trying to become healthier, a resolution to not eat sweets should not be your main Lenten promise. Instead you should have additional Lenten promises that coincide with the actual purpose of Lent: to give justice to God and others.

Just remember, “WWYSFJ?”

Mary Kate Luft is an A&E Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.