Good morning! I hope this post finds your Tuesday off to a good start and your week going well! Our Lenten devotional for today was written by Ryan Anderson. For those of you who might not know Ryan, he is our Campus Minister for RUF (Reformed University Fellowship). Ryan has been a member of the TCU community for nearly 5 years now, and in that time I’ve grown to appreciate his sharp mind, his quick wit, and his genuine care and compassion for our students. One of Ryan’s many gifts is his way with words – his ability to speak profound truth in a challenging and unique way. I hope his words today will offer you a fresh and new perspective as you begin your Lenten journey. Blessings, my friends…
Todd
February 16, 2016 By: Ryan Anderson
For centuries, Christians have observed the season of Lent as a season of preparation. Even though the days are characterized by fasting (literally, for some), there is always a horizon filled with feasting to which Lent leads. One writer put it like this, “Lent is a season of preparation and repentance during which we anticipate Good Friday and Easter. Just as we carefully prepare for big events in our personal lives, such as a wedding or commencement, Lent invites us to make our hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ passion and celebrating Jesus’ resurrection.” Even during Lent, the Sundays in Lent are meant to anticipate the Great Feast Day: Easter.
Lent just started, why are you talking about Easter? Simple: we need to remember why we even celebrate it. It is not an end in itself; rather, Lent lives with “an outstretched finger” pointing to something better…something greater. What is it? That Death doesn’t win. It won’t last. Donne was right, “one short sleep past [and]…Death, thou shalt die.” Lent won’t last forever for a reason.
So, this Lenten season, fast. Introspect. Soul-clean, if need be. Go without, if necessary. Don’t forget to live in justice and mercy as well! But do so knowing there is a ‘joy beyond the sorrow’.
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly ask you to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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