The Time is Now 

   “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6: 2) 

   Today we begin Lent, a time of self-reflection and turning to God.  It is a time when many people choose to make sacrifice, to give something up in recognition of all that Jesus sacrificed for us to bring salvation to the world.

   Many will give up coffee, or sweets, or some other dietary offering.  Some may give up smoking or drinking.  What is sacrificed isn’t nearly as important as what the sacrifice means to us.  If what is sacrificed is important to us, it is good; if it’s just to be able say we gave something up, it really isn’t a sacrifice at all.

   There are so many things in our hearts that could be given up during Lent.  Perhaps the grudge we’ve been holding against someone who has hurt us.  Maybe the urge to talk about others and their faults, forgetting that we also have faults.  Let’s stop judging others by the way they look, or talk, or where they are from, recognizing that they too are children of God.

   Maybe we could give up a few minutes of our time to sit quietly and commune with God.  He is with us always, but we so often drown Him out with our worldly activities and concerns.  Fifteen or twenty minutes spent in silence with Him can be a life-changing event.

   One last thought.  During Lent and for the rest of our life let’s turn to the One who can bring us to eternal life when this earthly life comes to an end as it surely will.  Life is short, eternity is forever. 

 

“For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Gen 3: 19)