We are called to bloom in every season.
This week was the official beginning of Lent for those who observe it. Lent is not Biblical, but has been observed in some form, in various churches, for over a thousand years. It’s meant to be a time of self-denial, but perhaps more importantly, a time of self-reflection.
As I type this, we have been in an international pandemic for over two years now. Many of us feel like we have been in a never-ending phase of self-denial. Many have spent a lot of time in self-reflection and have made positive changes. Others have retreated to their homes, embracing the safety there, choosing to connect electronically. We want to work from home and worship from home. We have shunned people who aggravate us or who are different from us, but in the process, we have also shunned community.
Inflation is out of control and simply shopping for groceries or filling the car up with gas, can make the hardiest soul a little squeamish. Just when we seemed to be emerging from the ongoing pandemic woes, Russia elected to start a war with its neighbors and created worldwide instability.
As I was putting away laundry last week and prayerfully thinking about world turmoil in the context of Lent, I happened to see a large bloom on my Christmas Cactus that is apparently blissfully unaware that it’s March. It made me smile and as I drew closer, I was delighted to find tiny buds all over it. I felt like the Holy Spirit was sending a message.
The miracle of Jesus’ birth is still just as beautiful and important in March as it was in December. His birth, life, death, and resurrection know no season, even though we try to fit them neatly on our calendars. They are all constant truth and therefore should be constant comfort to all who walk with Him and an ongoing reason to bloom and share that hope with others.
We all wish that the dark days would finally be behind us, that Covid will be a thing of the past and that people could all just get along, but that is not for us to decide.
Yet, we do have a decision to make in the midst of the darkness.
We can choose to let the light of Christ shine through us, remembering that the darker the days are, the brighter our light is and perhaps this year, that’s the call of the Lenten season, the call to shine.
A March blooming Christmas Cactus reminded me to bloom and shine regardless of the season. Perhaps you needed reminding too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂