As I prepare this eMeditation according to the National Weather Service, the wind in North Platte is out of the Northwest at 40 mph with gusts to 58 mph. A high wind warning has been in effect most of the day. Returning to my car after shopping the wind made walking extremely difficult. Walking into a 40 mph head wind is no easy task.
With the wind in my face and granules of dust polishing my face with the force of 58 mph gusts, I had to think about walking. Normally I take the journey from the store to my car on auto pilot. I just walk no conscious thought involved. Today was another story. To keep from falling over or being blown into the oncoming traffic I had to think about walking. One foot in front of the other while leaning forward I found myself thinking. On arriving at my car I buckled myself in and took a deep breath in hopes of bringing my breathing back to normal.
My Lenten practice does to me what the wind is doing today. My Lenten practice makes me stop and think about the normal activities of my life. Practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving break the routine that directs my life. Lent reminds me that much of the Christian life is counterintuitive. A point made in the reading from John's gospel today, to gain life you must lose your life. If that's not a 58 mph gust of wind in your face I don't know what is.
"Create a clean heart in me, O God." (Ps 51:12a)