Thursday, February 6, 2020

Right around the Corner!

Last Sunday good, old Punxsutawney Phil assured us that spring was right around the corner.
Last night, it snowed.
It is snowing again now.
But no matter if spring is right around the corner or winter is determined to settle in for a spell, "It" is, indeed, right around the corner.
The real harbinger of spring is fast approaching.
Lent!
That is the sign of springtime of which I speak - Lent!
This is the season that calls on people of faith to do some housecleaning - serious housecleaning.
Sure, the time approaches for actually cleaning the house, that dwelling place where we hang our hats.
Springtime brings spring cleaning.
Lent calls for a spring cleaning too, a very different kind of housecleaning.
It is a time to shake off the cobwebs of sluggishness and routine and indifference and spiritual sleepiness.
Lent is that time for dealing with those things within that taint our relationship with God and our relationships with one another.
Lent is the time for awakening or reawakening that Spirit Fire within us.
Lent is the time for Spiritual Spring Cleaning.
And to get ourselves ready, I would suggest that the critical question should NOT be: What am I going to give up for Lent this year?
Nope!
The critical question, I firmly believe, should be: What am I going to become because of Lent this year?
What am I going to become in the sight of God?
What am I going to become in the sight of my loved ones?
What am I going to become in the sight of my co-workers?
What am I going to become in the sight of my community?
What am I going to become in the sight of those who right now do not like me?
Thought questions!
Sure!
But Spring Cleaning is never an easy task and Spiritual Spring Cleaning is a challenge and it should be a challenge.
Religion should never be easy or comfortable - cheap grace, as one theologian cautioned.
As I pen this, Lent is but two and a half weeks away.
If it is to be what it should be, we cannot just stumble into it.
We need to get ourselves ready - now.
We need to get our plan of action - now.
When we look at our world today, we should clearly see how critical a good Lent is for us and for the world.
When we look at our society today, we should clearly see Lent's importance.
Even when we look at our Churches today, and especially at all of those empty places and grey hairs, we should be powerfully reminded that we need to do better, to be better.
What we are right now has got to change -- for the better.
We need Lent!
And we need to take Lent seriously.
Phil has spoken!
Phil has said to expect an early spring.
Phil has said that spring is coming.
So, come on, Church!
Get busy!
It is time for Spring.
This weary, war-torn, hate-filled, tear-stained world needs Springtime!
Church - make it happen!
Make the Springtime that is so desperately needed happen.
He calls us to it!
(And by "He" I don't mean Phil!)

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