WHAT luxury or pleasure shall I give up during Lent that I may make room for a larger appreciation of Christ? Shall I forego a meal a day, or give up some delicious dish that I dote on? Shall I stay away from picture shows and parties? Shall I give up candy, meat, tea, or coffee?

Yes, make any or all these sacrifices if you wish; giving them up will not hurt you. Disciplining the sense strengthens both body and soul if the discipline is not carried too far. But there are other and more important ways of fasting. We can fast from criticism, faultfinding, grief, emotions and thoughts unbecoming to a child of God. In place of these weak, human thoughts we can express more of the Christ consciousness.

While we are fasting from unworthy thoughts and emotions we shall go about our daily routine of duties as usual, keeping in contact with our friends and associates. By doing all to the glory of God, we shall not need to shirk a single responsibility. We can make our every act and our every word a testimony to Him.

Our business will be taken care of as usual while our inner service of Christ will bring a new spirit of praise and service and joy into the background of every business detail. Money will no longer be merely the coin of the realm; it will become a symbol of God’s infinite substance. Each token that passes through our hands will be blessed and sent out upon a new mission of service to Christ. A letter written will be no more a mere business letter, even though it be composed of business terms and phrases in the usual way. It will radiate a new spirit of blessing and good will, which will bless and cheer all who touch it. Each meal prepared will be no longer just food for hungry bodies, but it will nourish the body of Christ.

All lesser thoughts will be transmuted to the heights, and nothing will be commonplace or mean or unpleasant. All will be done for Christ, and His Spirit will open the way to a larger appreciation of life. By sacrificing our lesser thoughts we shall be preparing for the resurrection of Christ within us.

—From Weekly Unity, Feb. 17, 1934.