Lent as Life Without Limit

In Uprising, Erwin MacManus tells us about a rafting trip he took with his wife.  He fell out of the boat; she did not.

In the rushing waters, on instinct, he began to struggle for control.  Then he remembered the words of the guides - roll up in a little ball and float down the river.  Don't put your feet or legs down, there are dangerous rocks and tree branches on the bottom.  Keep your head just above water.  Hold on to your (should be tight) life-vest.  

After struggling for a time, McManus almost gave in to the power of the river.  He thought he would die and felt great regret for the things in life that he had left undone.

McManus wanted to live and was determined to get out of the rapids.  He almost gave up.  But something inside said, "I want to live!" He was able to grab a branch and get out, rescued for part of a bigger journey.

McManus goes on to say, "The same people who fell out of the rafts got back into the rafts but were not the same... what was really important became very clear to us, and it was the important things that really mattered."

Lent is a time for letting go of the control we desire or think we have.  In the rushing waters of life, rather than struggle, fight, break bones and choke on the rapids, let us trust and follow our guide, Jesus Christ.  Let us confidently fold ourselves into a ball and float, trusting in the grace of God.  Let us also grab tightly to the branches God has stretched out for us to use. 

May we let go of our struggles; may we trust in God more fully; may we allow God to make us more into what He wants us to be and to do.