A Note From Rob ...
Week of March 1
The season of Lent begins Wednesday February 25th. These 40 days, excluding Sundays, are a time for us to “give
up” and “take on”. We are encouraged to let go of those things, life-styles, habits, etc… which hinder us in our
journey toward the new life of Easter.
For most of society the concept of giving up something for Lent is just another opportunity to do something for
ourselves. While this is true that we do reap eternal and immediate benefits for such self-denial, the real purpose is
to draw closer to God in this season and in every season.
One of the challenges of any journey is not to bring unnecessary baggage. Have you ever tried to put more into the
car than necessary on a vacation or sit on the suitcase to close it so the unnecessary and unneeded could be
crammed into it? Ever tried to journey into the future while holding onto the past? How about holding onto a
grudge, a hurt, a mistake while trying to live a joyful life? Have you like I ever struggled with forgiving another or
one’s self for something in the past? Letting go, giving up in order that we might move on is necessary to embrace
new life, Easter.
I hope to give up some things which a literally “extra baggage.” Well, actually I am committing to give up some
habits which lead to extra baggage. Part if the reason I am choosing to do so is to be a better steward of the physical
body I have been given. However, the most compelling reason is the obvious witness to excess in my life in a world
where so many have so little. According to some data, a child dies every 5 seconds worldwide due to hunger. So the
question for me was, “how can I complain about the greed of Wall Street which leaves so many without while I am
so obviously “greedy” in the area of food.
It will be hard for me. Food is comfort, entertainment, fun, a relief for boredom and much more. I need
encouragement and some help. So this is how I want to ask you to help me and others. I am asking you to pledge a
“pound a pound.” While a pound is a coin from Britain the alliteration was too good to pass up. (A pound is
approximately $1.50 in US dollars.)
The “weigh in” is this Sunday. I hope you will join us for the journey toward Easter. Don’t you want to shed some
burdens in Lent? This can be done in physical and spiritual arenas.
I look forward to seeing you then.
Peace,
RETURN
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