Rehab (03/19/2025)

Many times in my adult life, after surgeries I have had to go to rehab to regain the full use of whatever part was recently operated on – leg, hand, etc. It wasn’t my favorite activity. It was hard work, it was painful work, but I knew my therapists were right when they’d tell me “no pain, no gain.” I knew they were right, but I must admit I also wished there was another way. And every session they’d send me home to do the “exercise of the day” to further build up my physical strength and range of motion. Lent is a lot like rehab.

I don’t know of anyone who really looks forward to Lent. I know I look forward to who I hope to be at Easter, but the actual spiritual rehab isn’t something I can’t wait to begin. Every year, I take inventory of who I’ve become on this spiritual journey and make note of those areas where I’ve lost strength and range of motion. And I try to come up with a “soul rehab” that will get me to where I hope to be by Easter, exercises that when added to fasting, prayer and generosity of my resources will bring me closer to who Christ calls me to be.

Today marks our one-third point through Lent. How are we doing with our Lenten resolutions and “rehab”? Are we sticking with our promises? Are we making progress in our spiritual journey? Are we building our spiritual strength? Is Christ within us more apparent to ourselves and to those whom we encounter?

It’s not too late. We can start here. Or we can re-start. The LORD is good about that. The LORD wants us to “turn.”

Let’s make this Lent a transformative time for each of us and in the process for our world. Let us grow into that light we know we’re called to be. Let us work to respond to the LORD’s sacrifice for us by our own sacrifice so that we might love Him as He has loved us.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.