At this time of year spring is showing itself everywhere. Even the word Lent itself means spring, and the Lenten season has been described as a 40-day springtime for the soul. We’ve had Spring Break, some are doing Spring Cleaning around the house, and we changed our clocks to Spring Forward. In Psalm 38 David is dealing with a physical illness that seems to be the consequence of some wrong behavior, expressing his deep emotions and crying out to God for help. I’m sure if he could get a do-over with whatever caused his suffering he would gladly do things differently.

During Lent we look at our own lives, taking stock of how we are suffering because of our own wrongdoings, and I know I often wish for a do-over to make things right. Perhaps Lent itself is the do-over that is God’s gift to us and His answer to our longings. It’s a time for taking Spring Break from the regular routine to admit to God, using David’s words, “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.” It’s a time for Spring Cleaning, to say, “I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” And then a time to focus on God’s leading us to Spring Forward in His purpose as “I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O Lord my God.”

Living in a broken world and with our broken selves can feel crushing, but God offers us rest for our souls as we focus on Him. When we confess our sin He promises to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And a Christian’s direction is always forward, even as we plead, “Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.” I think Springtime and Lent have just become my favorite time of the year.