The Tunnel's End

After almost 40 days of sacrificing, many people begin to look forward to the day when Lent is over. In light of the constant vigilance, the frequent reminders, the daily time commitment, it is understandable that Christians become weary of their chosen practice. Forty days is a long time to be on guard against accidental relapses, unguarded moments, and frequent temptations. What is missing is a view of the progress made in a God-pleasing direction. From deep in the trenches, the shifting battle lines are unseen, as is the ultimate goal. Only with the grand view, the heavenly view, is progress obvious.

At times, the approach of those who repeat the same Lenten practices, year after year, seems worth copying. Those Christians are practicing tradition and are at home with the practices they have chosen to pursue. Each year, they participate in a way that satisfies their spiritual needs, while resting assured their commitment can be met through Lent. For these people, the Easter day enjoyment of the Lent-forbidden activity makes it all the more endurable. The breaking of the fast (or its equivalent) is a release from their burden and a confirmation of their efforts at the same time.

For those choosing a new exercise of the will during Lent, Holy Week signals upcoming choices. Should the observance be continued past Easter? Was the chosen discipline a useful one from Christ's perspective? Can the benefits achieved during Lent be continued through the course of the year? Will the believer find and retain a supportive environment for his/her efforts? These questions bear heavily on the decision to maintain or end the habits newly formed.

These are important questions from the human viewpoint. But from the divine viewpoint, these questions are non-issues, mere distractions. Our heavenly Father encourages us to attempt and accomplish any of the things He knows will be best for us. There is no single optimum - defining specific activities and when to do them is much less important than the striving itself. Perhaps He is like the sideline parent, urging her child onward and upward. The sport does not matter, the position played is immaterial, she just wants to see her child happy and fulfilled, regardless of success or failure. Like any good parent, God is there when we need Him and He rejoices in our wins and consoles us in our defeats. To Him, it is about being present in the present. It is about supportive encouragement, complete with forgiveness and mercy. It is taking pleasure in the joy of a child.

If we would but recognize these truths, we find the only bad choice come Easter is to trust in ourselves. We are fallible, highly prone to error and misjudgment. But His love will be there regardless. His guidance is trustworthy and dependable. He will never give up on leading us to salvation. There is growth in His scolding, there is freedom in his correction. We do ourselves a disservice by lingering in indecision. Far better that we concentrate on being in His presence and on hearing His voice. The rest will fall into place. Whether it be our chosen practice or another, whether it be during Lent or after, His choice is what matters and the best we can do is be prepared to listen when He speaks. By placing our trust in His grace, we will not be led astray and we cannot be defeated.

May God shine His light on your post-Lent practices.