Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Lent: a time to repent and go back to community roots
“Lent a time to repent” aptly signifies the key purpose of the passion of Jesus Christ who is our Lord and personal Savior.
Having any type of fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence without repentance WILL not grant any mercy for our sins from our God. Yet he is a merciful and patient God waiting on us to take a decisive step into committing or renewing our life by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord. This renewal process should be continued throughout our lives leading to a life worthy of being called as Children of the living God. After all our purpose on this planet earth is it taking life on a day to day basis or to focus on the important goal our Lord has give us.
Mathew 28: 18-20 says… Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
In affluent places we find leisure time means sitting in front of certain boxes, parties etc., instead of primarily focusing on the goals in our life. There are many positives in the land we reside in, but equally bad influences are adopted by many, a prime example is some “candy collection” on the eve of “All saints day”. How do we let satanic influences penetrate innocent children in the name of fun is beyond imagination. Next is alcohol which has penetrated beyond personalities and homes. This has caused deep frictions within and beyond families. “Hats of” to individuals and families who have come out of this “addiction”. The reports coming out of some of our university residence campuses are not good. Fresher’s who are joining for the semester are under severe pressure when a majority opts to do late night booze outside the campus.
Thus, it is very imperative that our children are given the right roots when they stay with us. This is possible only by laying a sound foundation in the “Word of God” – Holy Bible, so that when the storms of life hit them, the roots (Word of God) because of their depth will cause them to ONLY sway as in a hurricane, and God will not let them be uprooted. Let us as Christians come back to the roots of our forefathers where they prayed on their knees and the spirit of the Lord touched them and blessed them for generations , the fruits of which we enjoy today. Is it not time for us to do this for the future generations?
Prayer: Lord enable us to seek your grace and favor to live a life worthy of being called your children so that the goals you have set for each one of us come to its fulfillment.