Today the news was full of reports of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Then reports of tsunami warnings for Guam, Hawaii, the West Coast. Looking at the pictures and seeing the maps of the waves and times they were predicted to hit were scary for me. Scary since my sister and her family live on Guam, and my brother and his wife live on the coast of Washington. I knowing that both their houses are located on a high point, but I still wonder about their safety. As I was on the internet, reading the reports from MSN and watching videos of the destruction a few thoughts about the season of Lent came to mind.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” This quote is from Matthew 3:2 and is John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea. Generally this reading occurs during the Time of Christmas on the Sunday that we celebrate the baptism of Jesus.We are told by John to repent, then during Lent we ponder on what that means.
Repentance, a word used often during Lent. Repentance is a turning away from sin toward faith in Christ and His Sacrifice for us. Devastating earthquakes and tsunami’s and all other disasters remind us of the frailty of life. Matthew 25:13 says “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
For me, Lent is a time to reflect not only on my sinfulness, but also on my Savior. Jesus came to earth for one reason, to die and rise again, conquering death once and for all. What does this mean for me? I need to be ready, in season and out of season, to meet Jesus. I need to share this faith with my children, show them from the scriptures their sinfulness and their need for a Savior. Remind them that they are baptized children of God, forgiven and set free from sin. I need to live each day as if Christ were coming tomorrow.
This post is linked up with Trish over at A House Upon the Rock. Visit her blog and read the Lenten journeys of others.
5 comments:
Thank you for this post. I was thinking many of the same thoughts as I watched the news. I'm glad your family members are okay.
I've been thinking a lot of the same today too. Thank you for putting my jumbled thoughts into words for me.
Great post and very insightful. We need to be prepared indeed because like this earthquake and tsunami....Jesus will come like a thief in the night.
Great post with lots to think about...
Great post. I too have been thinking along the same lines. Last night's reading was about the very same thing...John the Baptist's crying out for repentance.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts.
Blessings,
Trish
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