2016 Belmont University Lenten GuideSample

Conversations I’ve had with many of my friends (Christian and non-Christian) related to faith is about our relationship with Christ. There are those who have a relationship who need to be fed in order to keep it strong. There are others who need a more formal introduction to the Lord. The more meaningful portion of the conversation is not about the life, death and resurrection of Christ as our Savior. It is about understanding what it means for Christ to be our Lord. It’s interesting how we are willing to follow, listen and give complete adoration to the star player, the organizational leader, or the military commander, but sometimes find difficulty in complete surrender to Christ. It is written throughout the Bible how the Lord will not leave us nor forsake us, yet we opt not to completely receive Him. How He provides protection from others as well as self, yet we place ourselves in precarious situations. We are considered joint heirs with Him and He daily offers grace and mercy, yet we are haughty in our belief that all we are and have is due to how awesome we are. If we have knowledge of Christ’s favor on our lives, then why is there difficulty in surrendering? We can speculate that we only want to surrender ourselves based upon our own conditions. I would also contend that we allow for there to be this pseudo-competition between the world and God. Philippians 3 asserts there are those who put confidence in human effort and not the Lord. But those who know Him boast about His loving kindness and all He has done. Each day we are provided an opportunity to do something positive in the lives of others. This provision is from Christ who sacrificed his life for us to have the ultimate victory of life everlasting. How wonderful it is to know that material things and even humans are imperfect, but we serve a perfect God who adores us and wants nothing more than the very best for us. Psalm 27:13–14 says, “Yet I am confident that I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently on the Lord.” I would ask that we not cause the Lord to wait on us. Acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior and receive ALL of the benefits of being in the family. Be confident, be bold and know that the Lord of Lords has your best interest at heart. JEFFERY BURGIN Associate Provost and Dean of Students Division of Student Affairs