LENT

Running into time
Lent is here — can you believe it? If you are like a lot of people, you're still finding pine needles and bits of tinsel in the carpeting and telling yourself to get all those boxes of decorations nearly back to where they go in the basement every time you walk past them. All those reminders of a hectic December and Christmas are part of our blurred memories ... just what did happen over those days?

Then consider that even before the Advent wreath was prepared and the Christmas pageant was a hit, we already were running out of time for planning our Lenten journey. Running out of time? How could that be? Yes, this is the year Lent and Easter come early, in the thick of winter with no sign of spring.

We often say we are "running out of time" when we feel overwhelmed by a task or are facing the possibility of not accomplishing what has been set before us. But if we focus on, or think too much about, running out of time to accomplish the tasks we set out, we put ourselves at a deficit before we even get started. The focus of the season will be lost to the tasks.

Our Lenten journey is all about time. It is a time to relive the real stuff in Jesus' life in real time. It is a time to grow and stretch ourselves beyond who we are right now. It is not just about who will bring what to the soup supper, more importantly, it is about bringing and preparing ourselves through prayer and listening.

Suppose we use this Lenten season to change — better yet, turn around — our thoughts and hearts about time and about God, who has given us all our time. Instead of worrying about running out of time, let's run into it. When we run into the season, we are open to walking with Jesus and experiencing the journey rather than planning it. Instead of 40 fast-paced days with checklists, the season becomes 960 hours full of possibilities and of ultimately making the journey with Jesus to the cross. It is in this journey that our time, our lives, all that we are, is freed up.

Imagine running into a waterfall or into a sprinkler in the backyard. Running out of water wouldn't be your first concern; instead, you experience the joy of being in the water, and that is all you need to keep you in it.

When we run into the journey, we do not run through it, as in a race, toward a finish line. Instead, there will be time to turn around completely and see it all, including what has been behind us and tucked away, out of focus, in our lives.

This season, instead of running out, run in — and experience the journey.

Valora K Starr is an associate for programs for Women of the ELCA in the areas of evangelism & discipleship and global education.