Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
There are times when it seems like we can get away with sloppy living. We can tell white lies when we don’t get caught. We can harbor and even nurture sinful thoughts and desires if no one peeks behind our façade. We can blow through a wad of cash when there is money in the bank. We can give God lip service rather than lordship in our lives when we feel like we are in control.
Then the inevitable happens. We are caught in our lies, our sins move from our thoughts and into our actions, the bills are more than we can repay, and we are faced with situations beyond our control, sometimes all at once. Even before the recent economic downturn there were astounding statistics about the number of families that were living one paycheck from bankruptcy. It is not a matter of if it will happen – it is a matter of when it will happen.
Many people are in horrible situations due to the recent economic climate. I know far too many people that have lost jobs, have homes being foreclosed on, and are filing bankruptcy. We have increased needs in our congregation let alone the increasing flow of people through the church office seeking aid. We all know people who have lost loved ones or are facing physical or emotional difficulties. The news is filled with stories of people in high places making bad choices.
In all of these situations I wonder how many people are haunted by choices they made along the way. I’m sure that there is more gnashing of teeth over money spent rather than money saved, over lies told than truth admitted, sins succumbed to than sins resisted, living a more expensive rather than a modest lifestyle. When a loved one is well it is easier to say the same old things rather than what truly is on our heart. When we are healthy it is easy to take tomorrow for granted. How many of us are precariously balancing on the edge of this precipice ourselves? How many of us have built our life on sand?
Jesus’ call to repent is a call to back away from the edge and onto solid ground, to solid ground in the way we live as well as the ways that we love God and our neighbor. Yes, we are surrounded by great human need but people need more than a utility bill paid or a grocery gift card. They need the love, support and guidance of God and God’s people. They need to see the good news of Jesus Christ lived, not just talked about.
Our opportunity is to experience this good news in our own lives and then to share it with others. May we bear witness to this undeserved love and fresh start in our own generosity and graciousness to those in need.
Your brother in Christ,
Paul