Second Half

So, it occurred to me this last Sunday that we’re in the second half now. For Lent. Only one more Sunday and then it’s Palm Sunday—and we’re right into Holy Week and Easter Sunday.  
 
This is as good a time as any for the halftime pep-talk.
 
I’m sure this won’t surprise anybody. I was one of those kids who always had to have something going on. The older I am, the better I get about it.
 
Once when I was working on my Masters, I was complaining to one of my mentors about the sun not coming up early enough for me to sit outside and study. He says, “Well, what’s wrong with just sitting?” And I’m all like, “these books don’t read themselves.” But, just sitting is hard—even though I’m better about it as time goes on.
 
If you’ve ever read the Richard Foster book, Celebration of Discipline--it really informs how I “just sit.” Because I see that time “just sitting” as time with God. Like focused. And very real. Very present.
 
Sometimes it’s meditation. Sometimes it’s prayer. “Just sitting” is a way of submission for me. I’m really trying. I’m really trying to work all this in.
 
But Holy Week is coming. It’s out there: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday (we’re teaming up again with the Methodists both on Zoom and Facebook Live at 7pm), then Good Friday, Easter Sunday. Pow! It’s all coming fast.
 
So how are you doing?
We’re in the second half.
How’s it going for you?
 
I hope and pray that you’re living into your plan, whatever that looks like. I hope and pray you’re living into your fasting or your own set of disciplines or new things you’re trying. I hope that’s working for you.
 
Don’t worry if it’s not. You can always jump back on track or try a new track—try something new if what you’re doing isn’t happening. Setting up new routines is okay.
 
This is not “law.” Richard Foster cautions about that, actually: “Nothing puts people into bondage like religion.” So, let that go right away. Don’t hold onto to all this so tightly.
 
Having said that, I have one routine that never gets old. Never! My quiet time in the mornings. Even if I’m not “just sitting,” I don’t ever get tired of spending time with God. Not ever.
 
Carve out some time for yourself to do the same. Spend a little time with God. Maybe just sitting. Time with God is good time—always in all ways. It saves me.
 
Oswald Chambers puts it this way: “We all have those times when there are no flashes of light and no apparent thrill to life, where we experience nothing but the daily routine with its common everyday tasks. The routine of life is actually God’s way of saving us between our times of great inspiration…” Thanks Ozzy!
 
So here we are post half-time. I don’t know what your routine looks like, but I can only testify to my experience. I can encourage you to develop a spiritual routine of your own. Do it for yourself and I promise it won’t feel routine. Not ever.         
 
Whatever you do, it will save you between your times of great inspiration. It will see you through. It gets you through the second half.
 
Grace & Peace,
Scott