Down the Stretch We Come

Well, here we sit. It's the end of March. Spring Break is over. All that's left are just a few weeks of classes and summer will be here, or in my case graduation. At the same time, it's also Lent, another time of growing and thinking and prayer.

Jesus is transfigured in this week's Gospel before the very eyes of his apostles, yet, they don't seem to fully understand what is going on. That's not always a bad thing. Too often in life, we feel like we need to be given the answer instantaneously. In this society, where people get nervous when their friends don't message them back, those on the spot answers are commonplace. It's almost shrinking that aspect of time, which is a fascinating thing.

Sometimes 8 hours can feel like 24, and vice versa. Or a whole week (see Spring Break), can feel like a blur of a day. But, the answers we are looking for aren't always right in front of us, mere seconds away. The apostles never really understood what was going on with Jesus, or what would happen to Him, but they followed his path anyways, because in their heart it was the right thing to do. They eventually received an answer to their questions, and were able to understand what was incomprehensible at one time.

Patience is so important. Jesus shows us that by never fully giving away what was bound to happen. The disciples had to figure it out for themselves...naturally. If we try to force answers in our own lives, but that course of action might ruin an otherwise unbelievable answer. By gradually picking up the clues God gives us in life, we can find the right path in life. That aspect of time is so important, as life is only so long, which makes life more about the ride than the end result. By doing our best to follow God, the answer to the What if's will come at one point or another.

So, as near the halfway point of Lent, let's remember that if we are patient, and use this prayerful time to make ourselves better, our answer could be exactly what we are looking for, or more importantly what God is looking for in us.

As for the whole graduation thing, it seemed so far away freshman year, but now that it's right in front of me, it feels like just yesterday I was pulling up on campus for football preseason practice for the first time. Interesting how time works. I'm sure my next few blogs will be just as sappy when it comes to ending my college career, so I'll save some of that for later.

But, with all the unknown that follows these 4 years, it's time to put that in God's hands, and for now, enjoy this ride.