Fourth Lent

John 3: 19, 21

Jesus continued, “This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness … Anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”

Most of us have been there – that zombie state from working too many hours for too many days in a row. You say to yourself, “Just one more week, as soon as I finish this one project.” But then the next week comes and you’re not quite finished, and suddenly more days are swallowed up in the frenzy of industry.

If you’re lucky, some kind person – a friend, family member, a co-worker – will finally pull you aside and say, “This is going to stop, right? You must be aware of how unhealthy this has gotten. We’re worried about you.” And down deep you know that your life is out of whack, but you think, “It’s just this one project. As soon as it’s over things will be back to normal.” But for most of us, there is always one more project waiting after that.

Often, when someone shines the light of sanity on us, we choose to close our eyes. But slowly with God’s grace, we can work our way out of the darkness. Lent is a good time for those of us who get consumed by our work to commit ourselves to taking steps toward the truth of balanced living.