Lenten Devotion - Conviction
I was so very happy last year when our new Episcopal Rector moved to town. We have similar interests and personalities, and have become friends. Steve writes a column for their church paper once a month, and I just read his article for this month. Expectedly, he talks about Lent, and I want to share his opening paragraph.
Lent - it's such a serious and ponderous time, one that so often catches us out-of-mood. Of course, that's the point. When we become comfortable with our routine, comfortable whether it's healthy or unhealthy, Lent comes along and asks us to look at life in a different way. Lent is a matter of balance. We are drawn to that which affirms us, and we avoid that which convicts us. Lent convicts.
I have spent much of the day thinking about the conviction that surrounds our devotion. I had been thinking about conviction in a different sense of the word - commitment to, allegiance, and so on. But Steve's words caught me up short. Conviction speaks to something deeper - something captivating. I could mention parallel words - purpose, hope, promise - these are words that touch on conviction and devotion as concepts. Devotion requires conviction. We find purpose of belief, hope in that to which we are devoted, and a promise of a better life, relationship, existence as a result of our devotion.
posted by the sojourning pilgrim @ 2:11 PM
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