This is the ongoing tape I hear in my head as I am driving or walking alone. I run through all the regrets; the “coulda-shouldas”. I always seem to be making deposits into the bank of bad habits. Not thinking before I speak, text or post. This is already looking more like a personal journal entry than a blog! Confession is good for the soul, but unless there is purposeful action following that up, the words are hollow and empty.

Lent conjures up the guilt and unworthiness in us. It is my hurts, hang-ups and habits combined with all of yours, that led Jesus to the cross. In this forty-day season, while we go to spring training baseball games, on cruises, welcome loved ones on spring break, we also carve out time for life improvement. More to the point, spiritual improvement. Repentance. Sacrifice. Maybe the Northerners and Midwesterners can do this more easily because of the gloomy weather they have endured for five months, give or take. In Florida, dare we say, “it’s too nice out for Lent”?

We don’t like dwelling on negative stuff. Jesus did not either. He focused on love, joy, caring and kindness. Even with the weight of humanity’s sin leading him to the ultimate shame of the cross. From the instant of the first bite of the apple, the specter of the cross has been on the horizon. The Master’s plan, of course. To the extent we are able, we change. The things we can’t, we trust to God. Our hurts, hang-ups and habits are a part of us, and they are also borne by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because of his unconditional love, we get to live with and overcome the “coulda-shouldas”. God chooses us, not because we are specially qualified, but exactly because we aren’t! We are disciples and children of the Most High, being continually transformed into His likeness.

Thanks be for Lent. Thanks be to God!

Pastor Art