Plan Info
2016 Belmont University Lenten GuideSample
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During the season of Lent, we often find ourselves thirsting for the Lord like the psalmist writes about in today’s reading. Whether you have given up something or are simply reflecting on the meaning of Lent, if you haven’t felt faint yet, you most likely will. The times when we feel empty are crucial to the formation of our faith because it is in these moments when our faith is put to the test. Based on Jesus’ parable in Luke, we have two possible outcomes when we seek fulfillment: we can produce either bad fruit or good fruit.
The first option is to try to quench our thirst ourselves, which according to our Gospel reading for today will only lead to bad fruit. Isaiah’s song of the unfruitful vineyard offers some insight into the consequences of bearing bad fruit. He says that the vineyard that does not bear any fruit will be devoured, trampled down and made to waste. Trying to find fulfillment with worldly things, other people or even our own accomplishments will never lead us to produce Godly fruit. But there is a bright side.
The other option is to look to God for fulfillment. Luke writes that a good person, because of the goodness in his or her heart, produces good fruit. This would be someone who looks to God during difficult times, not someone who tries to fix everything on his or her own. It is perfectly natural to struggle to want to take control. It is part of our human nature. On top of that we live in an instantaneous society, one in which if we can’t find what we want or need we move on to the next thing. Waiting on God and finding fulfillment in God does not always seem like the easiest step, but it is the one that ultimately fills the empty space in our heart. And if we look to God, to continue with Luke’s analogy, we will bear the best fruit.
So during this season of Lent, I encourage you ultimately to seek fulfillment in God. The purpose of Lent is not to show others how strong of a Christian we are by how devoted we are to this season, but to remind us how much we need God. And by seeking fulfillment in God alone when we are weak, we are able to show the glory of God to others when He makes us strong.
ELIZABETH-ANNE NORDGREN
Senior
Philosophy of Religion
The first option is to try to quench our thirst ourselves, which according to our Gospel reading for today will only lead to bad fruit. Isaiah’s song of the unfruitful vineyard offers some insight into the consequences of bearing bad fruit. He says that the vineyard that does not bear any fruit will be devoured, trampled down and made to waste. Trying to find fulfillment with worldly things, other people or even our own accomplishments will never lead us to produce Godly fruit. But there is a bright side.
The other option is to look to God for fulfillment. Luke writes that a good person, because of the goodness in his or her heart, produces good fruit. This would be someone who looks to God during difficult times, not someone who tries to fix everything on his or her own. It is perfectly natural to struggle to want to take control. It is part of our human nature. On top of that we live in an instantaneous society, one in which if we can’t find what we want or need we move on to the next thing. Waiting on God and finding fulfillment in God does not always seem like the easiest step, but it is the one that ultimately fills the empty space in our heart. And if we look to God, to continue with Luke’s analogy, we will bear the best fruit.
So during this season of Lent, I encourage you ultimately to seek fulfillment in God. The purpose of Lent is not to show others how strong of a Christian we are by how devoted we are to this season, but to remind us how much we need God. And by seeking fulfillment in God alone when we are weak, we are able to show the glory of God to others when He makes us strong.
ELIZABETH-ANNE NORDGREN
Senior
Philosophy of Religion
About this Plan
Again this year, through an intentional partnership between the College of Theology & Christian Ministry and the Office of University Ministries, we have been able to create and offer a Lenten Devotional Guide to help o...
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We are truly grateful for all of the individuals who have helped to make this fifth annual Lent and Holy Week guide a reality for our campus community, as it was indeed a campuswide collaboration that includes contributions from students, faculty and staff from across the campus, and even a few alumni. For more information, please visit: http://www.belmont.edu/
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