Scritpure: “Be reconciled to God” – 2 Corinthians 20b (NIV)
Well, it looks like winter is finally over…NOT! What happened to the fall prediction that this winter would be milder and dryer than “normal?!” Oh, well, chalk up another victory for Hoosier weather. I guess “Paunxatauny Phil” was right: six more weeks – at least! – of winter… And, the football season is over, too. Well, at least that statement is true. It didn’t end the way most, if not all, of us had hoped, but it is over. We can be proud of our Colts and anticipate another Super Bowl run in the 2010-11 season. Now we can focus our attention on the real sport: Indiana High School basketball!! Good luck to all our teams in the IHSAA Tournaments!
So, while these seasons have ended and others begin, we also look forward to the Lenten Season and
Easter. And, that really is what this season is all about: looking forward. Keeping our eyes on the prize to which God has called us to in Jesus Christ. Awaiting Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the establishment of God’s Kingdom here on earth. Or, at least, that’s what the early disciples wanted to happen…but, God had other plans.
The Lenten Season is a chance for all of us to re-examine our lives and make right the things that haven’t gone quite as they should have. It’s a chance for us to look back while looking forward. We are asked to turn from those ways which are not productive or loving or Christian and to turn toward making amends for our faults – or sins – and to making right those things which need “fixing” in our lives.
The Biblical word is “repent.” It literally means “to turn away from.” This is the reason so many people “give up” something during Lent. I’ve always thought of this as a second chance to get our New Year’s Resolutions right! You know: losing weight, exercising more, being nicer to our family and friends, cleaning out that overstuffed closet. Recently, many have used this season to “do something” rather than give something up. I like that, because I think that approach is more in the true spirit of Lent.
Examples of this more pro-active Lenten practice would be to volunteer at a soup kitchen, donate time at a senior home, make breakfast for your parents, baby sit your little sister, or attend a Lenten breakfast series at church.
I like to suggest that we all read from a special Lenten devotional book. We distributed one to members and guests at church the Sunday before Lent. If you didn’t get one, let me know, and I’ll take care of it.
All these practices – the giving up AND the doing something – are a chance for us to “reconcile to God,” as Paul put it in his letter to the church at Corinth. Basically, Paul is saying, the time is now to turn from your former ways –to repent – and to turn to – or, BACK to – God! Whatever reasons, whatever you feel needs to be changed, whomever you feel you need to “get right” with, just to it. Do it now! Today! Turn TO God. Do “something!” Your God will smile upon you, and you will be “reconciled” to your God for all time!
God bless you and may you have a blessed Lenten Season!
