Someday Is Now!

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2b – “Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation!” (NRSVUE)

Last night at our Book study, we finished reading Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie. It is an anthology of devotionals on various topics related to grief, perspective, and self-acceptance. One of the devotionals towards the end of the book is “When Words Fail,” which is primarily about the importance of creating a spiritual discipline of listening prayer, often at the beach or other natural settings.

But there was a phrase in that devotional that leapt out at us. “There is hope for someday, but someday is not now.” This was described as a Holy Saturday kind of faith. We have suffered loss and believe in future joy, but we have not yet seen our hope come to fruition. Our salvation will come someday, but not now.

I bring this up not only because it is poignant, but because it is relevant to the Season of Lent that begins today on Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time of someday, but not now. We look forward to the joys of Easter and spring, but we are living in a time when it is still cold and damp. It is a time to stop and consider. To recognize our shortcomings in a healthy way. To listen to God.

But Lent is not just gloomy colors and minor-key music. It is also a recognition that while we are waiting for someday, someday is in many ways already here. In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, Paul speaks about seizing this moment. He quotes the Book of Isaiah, which speaks of a “someday”, an acceptable time and a day of salvation where God will listen to and help the people. But Paul says that day is now! Even though his ministry is filled with hardships and calamities, arrests and beatings, he keeps the faith. Even in those times between suffering and salvation, he knows that God’s saving grace is with them. You don’t have to wait for God’s promised miracles. You can live in joy now.

As you begin your own Lenten journey, keep your fast and take time to listen to God in prayer. But remember that the fast God chooses is one where you wash your hair and face. It is one where you work to help the poor and suffering. It is one where you live by hope even as you anticipate something greater to come. Over the next six weeks, make it your discipline to listen to God. Feel the hope that is bubbling up within you, even if you do not yet have the words to cry your joy to God. Someday is coming, but it is also now.

Prayer: God, throughout these forty days, let me listen to you so I may know your grace and discern your saving presence within me. Amen.