We are in a special period in the historic Christian church calendar known as Lent. It is a special period initiated on Ash Wednesday and runs the six weeks before Easter.
During Lent, worshippers traditionally give up something in order to draw near to God. There are many different Lenten traditions among the Christian denominations. Here is one of my favorite stories during the season of Lent.
"There was a man named Bubba who lived in a small residential neighborhood. Bubba grew up in the woods and loved to hunt deer and grill venison steak on Friday nights. It always filled the neighborhood with a wonderful aroma. His neighbors were faithful Catholics, and being the season of Lent, they refrained from eating meat on Friday. However, the smell of the grilling venison was quickly becoming a temptation."
"Being greatly perplexed, they went to their priest and asked for help. The priest paid Bubba a visit and after a long conversation, Bubba agreed to become a Catholic. The next Sunday, the congregation was relieved to see Bubba being baptized by their priest. Gently sprinkling holy water on his head, the priest said, 'You were born a Baptist, you were raised a Baptist, but now you are a Catholic!'"
"There was much rejoicing and the neighbors went home that day, grateful that the problem was solved. That next Friday evening, however, the neighborhood was again filled with the aroma of grilling venison emanating from Bubba's backyard. The priest was called and he immediately drove to Bubba's home. As he charged around the house to confront the new convert, he stopped short as he saw Bubba, with a small cup of water, reverently sprinkling it on the grilling meat. As he did, Bubba said, 'You wuz born a deer, you wuz raised a deer, but now you is a catfish!'"
However imperfect your understanding of God may feel, being intentional to draw near to God is always a worthy endeavor.
Do you know that we have a promise that if we "Come near to God…he will come near to you" (James 4:8)? Is it time to come closer to your creator? Lent is a perfect occasion to take your next step of faith.
(Editor's note: Bowlus is the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood garrison chaplain.)
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