Lent and the Burned Field

Yet even now, says the Lord,

    return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

    rend your hearts and not your clothing.

Return to the Lord your God,

    for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love,

    and relenting from punishment.

-Joel 2:12-13

Last Friday morning I went past Meadowbook Park in Urbana and noticed that the large prairie field had been burned. I could still smell the remnants of the fire. Some parts of the field seemed to be still smoldering. It was startling to see how different the field looked, now filled with ash and the charred remnants of last year’s plants. 

A number of people in our church are very familiar with controlled burns in maintaining thriving prairies. Some of you have experience with this method. In one sense, a controlled burn may seem counter-intuitive. If you want beautiful plants, shouldn’t you let everything grow? But those who study and manage prairies speak about how beneficial controlled burns can be to restore native prairies and keep them thriving. In just a few months, the Meadowbrook prairie will explode into color and will have life bursting forth in it. Invasive and undesired plants will be controlled or eliminated so that the desired growth will come through. 

Something like this is the logic of Lent. As we let go of some of the patterns, actions, and attitudes that have grown in our hearts, God can come into deeper places in our hearts and lives. Our letting go allows God to bring about growth that is not possible on our own strength. We have to trust that when we let go, God will bring good. 

During Lent, we are reminded of our need to “return to the Lord,” as the prophet Joel announced. As we continue walking through these forty days, may our hearts be strengthened by God’s mercy and grace. 

Pastor Justin 

Photo: Meadowbrook Park, Urbana, IL, February 27, 2026