Clear delineations

I tend to take issue with institutionalized time of reflection, and today is no different. However as I woke up with the headache that comes from one too many hurricanes on Shrove Tuesday, and sat down to read I realized just how helpful a Lenten discipline can really be. I have long struggled with the balance of living as a Christian IN (note not OF) the world. I get nervous when people start to make a holy huddle of the chosen frozen. At the same time however, I tend to allow myself the rationalizations that the world so easily teaches. The Apostle's creed with its ever so speedy run through of the Passion reminds me of the speed of life. It also reminds me of the clear delineations Christ made in his ministry. The end result is summed up in the last three lines of the creed, "I believe in... the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting." Even when I fall into sin Christ pulls me back out and He does so in a variety of ways, not the least of which is through his holy Word and those ancient words which his life has inspired. So while I don't buy into forced reflection I am certainly appreciative of a group of brothers and sisters being brave enough to post their thoughts for us all to see. I already see God doing great things for me in spite of me.