Have you ever wondered why there are so many self-help books out there? One estimate showed that over 10 million self-help books were sold in the U.S. last year. That is a lot of people seeking advice! So what is the attraction of these books? Well, I think it is pretty simple. We all have room for improvement. This is what Lent is all about as well. You know, today marks the halfway point in our Lenten journey. How has it been going for you? Some of our Lenten resolutions may have fallen by the wayside. But relax, that’s not the end of things. I know I said this last week and the week before. Lent is more than just giving up alcohol or chocolate. It is a time of self-examination. It is a time to say “I am a work in progress!” “I am trying to improve myself”. “I am trying to be more like Jesus”. Still, talk is cheap. We must work steadily toward these goals. So…what do we need to help us achieve them? We need to take an honest look at ourselves and we need faith in the promises of Christ.

I read an article the other day in which a social research team reported some interesting statistics about faith over the past 3-to 4 years. Since the pandemic, 41% of those interviewed said that they had been thinking more about God than they had before. 35% admitted to praying more and 25% spent more time reading the Bible. The reason for this, I believe, is that during COVID-19 and in the time since people have started thinking more about their mortality. They are searching for ways to find meaning in their lives. There is no way to find this meaning without God.

You know, in today’s Gospel we heard the most famous words in the New Testament: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life.” You will see the scripture reference, John 3:16, plastered on bumper stickers and posters at athletic events. You hear it often quoted by politicians. It is one of the first verses we learn as children and in many cases, the only one that adults can identify by chapter and verse. These words should indeed be in our minds all the time. They should be a comfort and encouragement for us. God loves ALL the world….everyone. He sent His only Son to save the world…..EVERYONE in the world. It doesn’t matter what color you are, what sex you are, or how much money you make. You are the one that God loves and if you believe….you will be saved. In our Gospel reading Jesus tells Nicodemus “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but rather to save it.” No, God does not condemn us, but we condemn ourselves by choosing the darkness of sin. John’s description of eternal life reminds us to choose the light of Jesus Christ and reject sin. You know, this weekend we begin Daylight Savings Time when we gain an hour of light in the evening. It can be a tough transition to “Spring ahead” this week. But when we get that extra hour of daylight to enjoy outside, we can sense that summer is coming and the darkness and cold of winter are fading away. This is what happens as we approach Easter. The darkness of Lent will give way to the bright light of eternal life which we celebrate at Easter.

So I encourage you to take the remaining days of Lent to think about these things. When you say “I am a work in progress”, also take the steps necessary to become your best self.