The
daffodil bulbs I planted in containers last fall are about 3 inches
tall. The plum tree in my neighbors yard is in full bloom. As I
drive down Irvington Drive to River Road, I see daffodils blooming
and cherry trees covered in pink flowers. The smell of fresh cut
grass fills the air as I walk the neighborhood. On Monday, it was 67
degrees. I love spring! But wait – it's mid-February! It's the
middle of winter. (I for one was wishing for snow!)
We
have had unusually warm and mild weather this winter and the flowers
and trees and grass are confused. The warm air and sunshine have
confused ate; to rest. The bulbs of flowers may not always redevelop
when winter is cut short. This summer, we may pay the price of
little rain and no snow pack by running short of water.
As
much as we love the longer days with more sunlight; as much as we
treasure warmer temperatures and sunshine; as much as we treasure
dry days, the dark, wet days of winter serve a purpose. It keeps
nature in balance; it makes the green green and our bulbs and trees
and plants healthy.
Lent
does that for our spiritual walk with the Lord. Many people avoid
Lent and want to go straight to Easter morning. Lent is a “dark”
season. It is a season of introspection and examination. Where do I
need to grow with the Lord? Where do I need to change? To what do I
need to confess and repent? What broken relationships do I need to
heal? What is controlling my life that I have not recognized? What
do I need to add to my life in order to faithfully follow Jesus?
What is God asking of me?
These
are the questions we ask ourselves during Lent. It's never fun, and
certainly not easy to ask these kinds of questions. We don't like to
see ourselves as we really are. We don't like to do uncomfortable,
hard things. We are afraid God will ask something of us that we
don't want to do.
But
just like nature, we too need the dark days. It's during the
darkness that we learn and grow the most. It's during these times
that our faith is challenged and our faith deepens. Prayer, study,
fasting from things that control us, meditation – these are all
activities for the dark days of Lent. These are the things we are
called to do as we walk to the cross with Jesus. And then – oh
then! Think how glorious Easter morning will be!
I am
looking forward to spending Lent with you. May God bless you as we
journey together in the coming season.
Grace
and peace,
Pastor
Debbie
See Sermon for First Sunday in Lent Below
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