February 10 marks the beginning of Lent, a season of preparation for Easter. In Lent, Christians take an inventory of their lives and consider how God wants to work that life into one that’s more and more Christ-like. We come to Lent every year because Christians never completely arrive at that goal this side of the grave. We never stop needing seasons of disciplined self-examination and recommitment — as individuals and as a church. I think the work of Lent means something extra-special for us this year. Consider what Lent calls us to do:
First, admit we all need to make changes. This is hard to admit to ourselves, much less to acknowledge publicly. Our choices from the past are unchangeable, but living an unexamined life is a kind of self-centeredness that inhibits our ability to mature and grow as we follow Christ in the world. There is great power in confession — to ourselves, to God, to others. Owning up to our failures, disappointments, and limitations is an important first step on the way to something much better.
Second, confession opens the doorway to honest reassessment. This time of year calls to my mind a prophetic word from Hosea (better understood by farmers than city folk, I think): “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” (10:12) Are there parts of your life like the frozen winter fields? Ask what proportion of your life is producing something of value to God. How much “unplowed ground” needs to be broken up in the days to come and made useful? What will it take to break it open? Ultimately, the more land you put into production, the more bountiful the harvest.
Third, unmoored from the ways things have always been, you can tip your life toward the future and plan for something new. It is possible that we might fail in what we set out to do. But if you fear future failures so much that you never embrace God’s higher expectations for your life, you’re not likely to rise above the way things are. For one who can learn from all things, even failure is a friend — if we continue to press on toward God’s future. Consider Paul, who was opposed, persecuted, stoned and left for dead, deserted by trusted co-workers, shipwrecked, slandered, and scorned. Writing from one of his imprisonments, he put it this way: “Forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14) He didn’t let the fear of failure keep him from leaning into the future and trying again.
All this points to a renewal of our reliance on God’s grace. We are tempted to believe that we can live “self-made” lives. The Scriptures tell us that becoming more Christ-like is built on faith and trust in God’s help. Again, from Paul: “I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13) God’s strength was Paul’s strength through pain, joy, failure, and accomplishment. The reassurance that only the free gift of grace can bring is what sustains us through all we face in life.
Yates faces God-sized challenges this year. We will all need to be fully invested in being all God wills us to be. As we walk together in Lent toward Easter and beyond, earnestly seek renewal and recommitment to Christ-likeness, and pray with me along the way:
Lord Jesus, I know that we’re all going to need a lot of help to change. So right now I place myself, our church, and this world in your hands. Break up the hard ground, guard our hearts and minds from fear, and lead us all to a deeper trust in you.
Amen!
Grace and Peace,