A few weeks ago, fellow blogger, John Gantt, wrote these words connecting the “four Cs” of this season’s theme.
"Character, Conscience, Consequences and Courage
When one reads them in that order, they seem to be concepts which build on one another, each C growing out of the previous C."
When I read those words, I pondered them. One concept growing out of another.
After some time and reflection, I realized this idea reminds me of scripture. Lately, I’ve come to recognize that I hold a theological perspective on the world and on life, so, it is no surprise that I connected these words to holy words.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we[ boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
One follows from another. Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope. (There’s even one of our “Cs” in this list, “character.”)
We Christians have entered the season of Lent. A time of reflection, of penitence, of sacrifice, of fasting. The stores are already full of Easter Marshmallow Peeps, urging us to ignore the daily or weekly discipline of dwelling in the ashes of our mortality that still stick in our noses from Ash Wednesday. The peeps and eggs proclaim “spring is here,” “sunshine is glorious,” “hope abounds.” Just eat the chocolate!
Season of Attentiveness
For me, this dissonance makes me pause. We are not in a season of misery but a season of attentiveness. Slow down. Feel the things that make us suffer; illness, grief, injustice, a feeling of uselessness. Rest in the sense of time that 40 days of Lent brings. More than just a week or two, long enough to demand endurance (but not forever). Uncover the character that provides a foundation for living this life in faith. And, then—hope!
These things come from one another, maybe not in this exact order every time, and perhaps in tiny ways each day. Endurance, when the day feels like a marathon. Character when you feel like snapping at a restaurant server or store employee. Suffering when your own troubles dwarf in the face of folks living in war zones or literally starving. And, hope—hiding in plain sight.
Hope at Trader Joe’s
The other day, I found hope at Trader Joe’s. I’ll admit, I find hope in short supply these days. But, after a haircut I went across the street to TJ’s for some convenience foods—frozen fried rice, a frozen pizza, some guacamole, and my favorite cinnamon graham crackers. I also put two bunches of cut flowers, daffodils and tulips, in my cart.
Wherever I turned in that busy store, the employees were friendly and helpful. Even the customers seemed kind on this day. When I went to check out, the clerk forgot to ring up my flowers. I reminded her, and she laughed and thanked me. And then, she said—that looks hopeful. I did a double take. I found hope at Trader Joe’s.
I may have wandered off topic, but without pressing too hard I think our four Cs can relate with integrity to the words of scripture. Consequences and suffering, endurance and character, courage and hope. Perhaps there are places of resonance and some sense of purpose for these next weeks of Lent.
Easter will come. Spring is on the calendar.
And, hope does not disappoint us. Hope does not disappoint.
For Reflection (either individually or with a group)
Read the blog. Read it a second time, maybe reading it aloud or asking someone else to read it aloud so you can hear it with different intonation and emphases. Invite the Divine to open your heart to allow the light of new understanding to pierce the shadows of embedded assumptions, stereotypes, and ways of thinking so that you may live more abundantly. Then spend some time with the following questions together with anything or anyone who helps you reflect more deeply.
Download a pdf including the Reflection Questions to share and discuss with friends, family, or members of your faith community small group.