Diving Deeper During Lent

Diving Deeper During Lent
by
March 03, 2026

The Journey of Lent continues. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Middle East with what is taking place in Iran and the surrounding regions. We pray for a future of peace in that war-torn part of the world. These situations do not have easy answers and bring out many emotions. We pray for all of those affected and for innocent lives that are lost during war.

In light of all that is unfolding, we will have a forum on the Iran situation with Samar Ali called “War with Iran: What Comes Next?” next Wednesday, March 11, at 6:15 PM in Carpenter Chapel. Click here to RSVP.

In a world of never-ending distractions, focusing on personal growth can become a superpower, yet it is challenging work. Pointing out the flaws and shortcomings in others is easier to do but it is often a convenient way to avoid examining our own hearts and lives. Judgment and blame have become far too common in this culture.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a profound yet difficult question: “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but fail to recognize the log in your own eye. First, remove the log from your own eye and then you can see clearly the speck in your neighbor’s eye.” Often, we need help identifying our own flaws. Hemingway famously said, “The goal in life is not to be superior to your fellow man. The goal is to be superior to your former self.” That is worthy advice.

How can we seek to live a moral life, be a good person, tell the truth, and treat others with civility and respect? Does this still matter to most people? Morality is defined as “Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.” Ethics is defined as “moral principles that govern a person’s behavior.” Most people would say that living a moral life and making ethical decisions is very important, yet many fall short on a regular basis. The Judeo-Christian tradition has established a basic framework for morality. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Help the poor and marginalized. Avoid idolatry. Respect the Lord’s name. Keep the Sabbath. Honor your father and mother. Don’t murder, commit adultery, steal, or lie. Don’t covet the things that other people have. Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly. All of this sounds simple and straightforward. But why is it so hard? Why do we fail to do these things time and time again, at every age and stage of life? A few answers: selfishness, pride, envy, ambition, arrogance, competition, and fear seem to get in the way.

The word “sin” is biblical and gets thrown around in all Christian traditions. But what exactly is sin? Is it true, as St. Augustine once argued, that we are born with original sin, the universal result of the fall? Or is Adam a metaphor for the fact that we all develop a sinful nature over time in our attempt to struggle, grow, compete, and survive? Paul writes these words about our inner conflict: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want but I do the very thing that I hate.” Profound, perplexing, yet real for all humans. If we know what to do but still fail to do it, then how do we explain it?

Living a moral life takes work. A solid foundation put in place when we are young is certainly helpful but does not ensure that we will stay on the right path forever. Life is a series of decisions and opportunities, some big and some small. Every day we get to choose whether or not to do what’s right. Every day we choose how to treat and talk to others, even when we are tired, stressed, and anxious. Thankfully, there is grace and forgiveness when we fall short, but we must keep trying.

Bonhoeffer once warned of “cheap grace”, the basic assumption that we can do whatever we want because God will forgive. That doesn’t cut it. Character is formed by trying to do the right thing over and over again. Trust and a good reputation are built over time. When we fall short, we need to own it, not deny it or run away from it. Spiritual growth in life only happens when we have enough humility to admit our mistakes, learn from them, and then make a concerted effort to do better. Nobody is perfect. But there is a big difference between those who continue to try and those who do not.

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