Plan Info
2016 Belmont University Lenten GuideSample
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The brutality of Good Friday and the glory of Easter, the culminating events of the Lenten season, bring us hope and the “full assurance of faith” as the author of Hebrew puts it. Everything that could possibly hold us back from communion with God was destroyed when Christ rose from the dead. Too often however, we find ourselves shirking back from the “holy places,” ashamed to bring our requests, prayers, cries and sometimes silence before the Lord.
Lent is a season to reflect on our sin and repent for the ways in which we fail to love God and neighbor. While it is vital that we take the time to reflect on the specific ways we fail to fulfill the mandate to love God and neighbor, it is easy to lose sight of the core issue. At the root of every sin—greed, pride, lust, envy, the list could continue—is an ultimate lack of trust in the provision and love of God. We become greedy when we look to our possessions, relationships or experiences to bring us meaning. We become prideful when we lose sight of our inherent value as children of God and look to people to affirm that value in us.
Instead of coming honestly and confidently before God we turn to “chariots” and “horses” to fulfill our needs. We turn to human means, such as possessions, relationships and status, to find value and meaning in this world. Take time in this season of Lent to reflect on the ways in which you put your trust in the “chariots” and “horses” of this world, rather than coming confidently to God. What is keeping you from receiving the gracious and warm embrace of our Creator?
JOSH RIEDEL
Assistant Director of Spiritual Formation
Office of University Ministries
Lent is a season to reflect on our sin and repent for the ways in which we fail to love God and neighbor. While it is vital that we take the time to reflect on the specific ways we fail to fulfill the mandate to love God and neighbor, it is easy to lose sight of the core issue. At the root of every sin—greed, pride, lust, envy, the list could continue—is an ultimate lack of trust in the provision and love of God. We become greedy when we look to our possessions, relationships or experiences to bring us meaning. We become prideful when we lose sight of our inherent value as children of God and look to people to affirm that value in us.
Instead of coming honestly and confidently before God we turn to “chariots” and “horses” to fulfill our needs. We turn to human means, such as possessions, relationships and status, to find value and meaning in this world. Take time in this season of Lent to reflect on the ways in which you put your trust in the “chariots” and “horses” of this world, rather than coming confidently to God. What is keeping you from receiving the gracious and warm embrace of our Creator?
JOSH RIEDEL
Assistant Director of Spiritual Formation
Office of University Ministries
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/
