by Anna Haiar
Not Everything that Looks Dead is Gone
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12:24, English Standard Version
At this time of year, the garden looks completely lifeless. The beds are bare, the soil is cold, and the brittle stems from last summer crunch underfoot. If you didn’t know any better, you might assume nothing good could ever grow there again. 
Lent can feel a bit like that garden. It’s a quiet season where we slow down, reflect, and confront the reality of our sin. Sometimes, when we honestly look at our hearts, they can feel just as barren as those empty garden beds. But gardeners know something important: what looks dead isn’t always dead. Beneath the soil, roots are still holding on. Seeds are waiting for warmth. Life is hidden, preparing for the right moment to grow.
That is the hope of Lent. Jesus willingly went to the cross, and what looked like defeat became the beginning of new life.
Copyright Family of Christ Luthern Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
