Design flaw or operator error? That’s the challenge Lent poses and Lent only offers one answer: operator error.
It’s that season in the Christian calendar that puts the whole sin-thing squarely on our plate and announces — “This is your doing, bud (or bud-ette), knock it off, turn around, do it differently.”
That’s pretty off-putting. Which is why some people run screaming the other way. Some complain that it’s unfair, medieval, dark, broody, old fashioned — or just the best of all reasons not to believe that there is a God.
But those reactions — whether they arise out of confusion, guilt, or Another Voice whispering in our ear — misses the deeper message that God is trying to get across:
“I love you my child and your choices separate you from me — they hurt those around you — and they deepen the darkness around you. It doesn’t need to be that way and I am ready to forgive you. Hear me, know I love you. Know I am willing to embrace you and let down your guard, stop your running.”
To be told our problem is a matter of operator error may be daunting, but we have spiritual responsibilities because we are children of God — because we are capable of far more glory than our selfish choices can give us.
That’s the good news of Lent.
And this is a beautiful meditation. Imagine, capable of GLORY, ashes, dust, dirt, and all!