Today’s Lenten quote is anonymous, "While I am asking God how I should observe an upcoming Lenten season, I may remember where I spiritually was during Lent the previous year and reflect on what has changed and what has stayed the same. I hear and read the familiar stories about Jesus as he approached the cross and am reminded that while my circumstances change, the truths of the gospel remain the same."
It's 8 am and there's a knock on the door, and a man gives you £100. You ask, "Why are you giving this to me?" "I just wanted to share it," he answers. That evening you're telling everyone. Next day at 8 am, there's the same man knocking on your door and handing you £100. This happens every day for three weeks, and by then you're just waiting at the door. By the end of the seventh week, you're leaving an envelope at the door: Leave money here.
After three months, you go out and check the envelope and there's nothing there. Same the next day. On the third day, you're waiting at the door, and you see the man walk past your place to your neighbour's. "Hey, that's the wrong house," you yell. The next day the same thing happens, "Hey, he doesn't deserve that," you shout. Eventually, you become angry and resentful that you are no longer getting something you didn't deserve in the first place. You took it all for granted. In the beginning, the sense of privilege was very high, but over time it diminished and you began to see it as your right.
Paul in writing to the church at Galatia writes, “ So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10
In the Greek Olympic games of old, a unique race was run. The winner was not the runner who finished first — it was the runner who finished with his torch still lit!
There are times in our lives when we feel like we just can’t continue in the race. These are precisely the times when the enemy loves to assault us to the point of breaking and torment us saying “You’ll never make it to the finish line, you may as well just quit now”. This is the time we need to cling on to God’s promises! The Lord will soon reward our diligence for all our toiling here in this world. Paul said, “Let us not grow weary in well-doing for in due season we shall reap if we do not faint”.
Let’s allow God’s wonderful promises to strengthen and comfort us in each circumstance so that we can run the race — not to finish first, but to run together, side by side — the flame of our torch reaching the finish line blazing brightly with fire for Him!
In the offering of our selves,
as well as the living of our days,
may we not grow weary of doing what is right,
but commit to speaking up for the voiceless,
healing the broken,
feeding the hungry,
and all those mercies
which are such a part of your heart
and hopes for all your children.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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