We Are Our Worst Enemy

5 Mar

“Workable solutions for Earth are urgently needed. Saving seals and tigers, or fighting yet another oil pipeline through a wilderness area, while laudable, is merely shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic.”  ~ Lawrence Anthony

Workable solutions vs. window dressing.  That is the goal of any business, any group, any society, or any person.  We need to come up with workable solutions in our lives in order to survive.  Otherwise?  We are a doomed people.

If we do all the “cosmetic” things possible to our lives; that is, make ourselves look incredibly good by earthly standards, but do not ensure the growth, nourishment, and strength of our souls, it will do us no good.  That is why we have been provided the season of Lent.  It is not an easy season.  It is not a quick season.  It is a length of time that affords us the opportunity to look at ourselves with complete honesty, to assess the damage that we may have done to ourselves spiritually, and to come up with a plan to make things right between ourselves and God.

Some people treat Lent cosmetically.  They give up a little of this and do a little positive of that.  They think that will let them slide by.  They have the wrong idea of Lent.  Lent is not about appearances.  Lent is about radical change.  That change can only happen within.  Each of us are called to change, to become more holy at the very core of our spirits.

Perhaps this is a good time to examine our Lenten journey.  We are beginning the third week of Lent.  What have been our choices thus far?  What have we done to repair the damage in our relationships with the Lord?  What good have we done for our brothers and sisters?  How much better or more holy have we become?  What do we still need to do?

Lent, in many ways, is never fully accomplished until we are called by the Lord at the end of our days.  Until then, there is work to be done.  I hope you are up to it today.

FAITH ACTION:  Figure out workable solutions to strengthen your Lenten resolve so that it may continue to carry you through the holy season to the glories of Easter.