It is the beginning of a new semester. Well, a week or two in — close enough. We are still mostly excited about going to class, still reading a little bit ahead and working toward the growth and learning that is promised. 

And how well I remember those moments at the beginning, when it is overwhelmingly apparent how much there is to learn, how much is beyond our capacity and understanding, and how far the goal is. But by the end of the term, we will all be amazed.

A week into the semester is also the beginning of Christian Lent. Lent is a 40-day observance that is for learning, preparation and growth. It is commonly known that Lent is a season of penitence — one in which we recognize how little we know about lives of wholeness and also how little we actually adhere to our own values of grace and love.

Many Christians observing Lent give up habits that stand in the way of their growth or take on disciplines that assist them in growth. They may avoid Facebook and devote themselves to more silence or service. Lent is an annual course in faithfulness and includes facing both great success and painful failure.

Of course, we are not all Christians at Elon, but the beginning of a new season is an opportunity to see ourselves as we are and to set goals for where we want to be at the end of this particular course, semester or season. We do it academically, athletically, even socially. So why not spiritually?

Now is as good a time as any to think about what matters most in your life and to then do something to bring you closer to it, whatever your practice. It’s a great time to make a spiritual goal — to learn about your given or chosen path, to learn about someone else’s, to go deeper than you ever did before, to seek new spiritual insight or to serve someone in need.

Find someone to ask your deepest questions to, examine your most closely held assertions, or try on a new way of prayer, meditation, spiritual study or action. You might, in the end, be amazed by your progress. Or not.

The American 20th century theologian G.K. Chesterton wrote, “If a thing is worth doing is, it is worth doing badly.” I want you to take hope from this thought, as Lent begins, as this semester offers new challenges that we might rather avoid, as we face things we might not be any good at and as we take risks to learn. Blessed Lent, blessings on your spring terms and blessings on your spiritual seeking. Your chaplains are ready to walk with you in these days.