"If you think in terms of a 30 week academic year, giving 6 to Lent is a huge part of the whole." was one of the comments.
"The students on the campus I serve are already overburdened with the harshness of the world." was another.
I understood where they are coming from, and asked additional questions about how this actually played itself out. And I have kept their wisdom in mind, as I considered the ministry at Clemson and our life together.
But I remain convinced that we will observe the full 40 days of Lent, together. And I remain further convinced that these 40 days may do more to restore our lives than any others we will share.
These 40 days are not a time to beat ourselves up, beat ourselves down, or be told that we are dirty, rotten scoundrels. It is a time to consider the disconnect between the lives we are living and the lives that God would want for us.
If there are broken relationships, what might it take to restore them? How might we change our patterns of interaction.
If we are devoting too much of our life to chasing after bread that does not satisfy, why not seek the bread that does?
If we are disquieted by the hurt and pain in the world, how can we move ourselves and those around us toward a better tomorrow?
The days of Lent are an opportunity to tell the truth - to acknowledge that the life we are living does not match the hope we carry in our hearts; and then to look for ways to bring the two closer together.
Like my colleagues mentioned above, I want no part of any practice which creates a burden or forces otherwise contented individuals to think horrible thoughts about themselves. I have found the 40 days of Lent to be the most honest of the year, and to be the pathway to the contentment which comes from knowing the Lord, and being assured that He knows me.
Join me in this journey. See where it might take you.
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