Good afternoon! I hope your week is off to a good start and your Tuesday is shaping up nicely! To assist you through your day I offer you a Lenten devotional that should serve as a good reminder to us all.
Our writer for today is Steve Levering. Steve is an Instructor in Strategic Communication in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication. He has been an active member of the TCU community for quite some time, having served in a number of areas on campus. Steve was someone who several individuals named as a potential contributor to our TCU devotional series, and he didn’t disappoint. I think you’ll find his words for us today to be familiar in many ways, and a solid reminder to do the important work of self-examination that’s fundamental to the Lenten season. Hit “pause” on your work mode for a moment, and open your mind to the words God has for each of us today. Blessings on your journey,
Todd
February 23, 2016 By: Stephen Levering
Spring semester on a college campus is a stressful time. In the fall semester, there’s a feeling of freshness. There are new challenges, new people to meet, and the campus has a sense of renewal. But the spring semester feels different. Sometimes it feels like the challenges are holdovers from the fall, and the energy level shifts from renewed to exhausted. At a certain point, you hear people saying, “If I can only make it to Spring Break,” or “Good Friday will be here soon.”
Quite honestly, when I was thinking about this devotional my first thought was, “I’m not in the right place spiritually for this right now, and my to-do list is too long.” Ash Wednesday completely slipped my mind until I saw a group of students with ash on their foreheads. (Of course, that means I missed Fat Tuesday as well!)
But the good thing about Lent is that there are reminders all around. When I saw the students with ash on their foreheads, it reminded me to pause and reflect on the upcoming Easter. When someone tells me they’ve given up something for Lent, it serves as a gentle reminder of someone who gave up much more on my behalf. And it pricks my conscience that I was too busy to remember.
Luke chapter 10 ends with Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is working hard to make sure everything is perfect for the visit, while her sister Mary gets on Martha’s nerves (as only a sibling can) by sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening. I imagine Martha felt very put upon as she did all the work. Finally she appeals to Jesus by saying, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”(Luke 10:40b-42, NIV)
Lord, thank you for the reminders you place in our lives. I am sorry I allowed my busyness to interfere with Lent. I will make a concerted effort to spend more time with you.
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