Ezekiel 39:21-29
Psalms 30, 32, 42, 43
Philippians 4:10-20
John 17:20-26
Tenacity – that is what we are encouraged to practice in the continuing
expression of our faith. Being “tenacious” can be described as holding on
or holding together in the face of all sorts of setbacks or difficulties and
staying firm in resolve and in actions.
In this season of LENT we are especially called to repentance of our sins and our human failings, even when we can claim that “it is not our fault,” the fault lies with society, or with our parents, or our upbringing or anything else “outside of our control.” But are we not personally responsible for how we are reacting to these “outside” influences?
First it would be helpful to set our goals in life, including our prayer life and constantly seek forgiveness. It is too easy, and so human, to be captured by the social side of our life as Christians – the meals together, our church ministries, the friends we make, the fun our kids have – and to neglect the really simple process of regularly and intentionally giving thanks to God and asking for pardon for the many sins we have to confess.
Have we given enough thought, or sought out enough information on the changes taking place in our church, in our society and in the world, or have we “left that to others”? Are we ready to give a well reasoned Christian response to questions of ecumenism, poverty, human sexuality, evangelism and many others?
Perhaps through repentance of our own failings we can become more aware of our need for a better understanding of these issues and for finding solutions. This will require tenacity of purpose on our part; remember that God is tenacious, never giving up on us, and Jesus was tenacious to the end.
Ron Merrett
Psalms 30, 32, 42, 43
Philippians 4:10-20
John 17:20-26
Psalm 32:1 – Happy are those who are forgiven,
whose wrongs are pardoned
In this season of LENT we are especially called to repentance of our sins and our human failings, even when we can claim that “it is not our fault,” the fault lies with society, or with our parents, or our upbringing or anything else “outside of our control.” But are we not personally responsible for how we are reacting to these “outside” influences?
First it would be helpful to set our goals in life, including our prayer life and constantly seek forgiveness. It is too easy, and so human, to be captured by the social side of our life as Christians – the meals together, our church ministries, the friends we make, the fun our kids have – and to neglect the really simple process of regularly and intentionally giving thanks to God and asking for pardon for the many sins we have to confess.
Have we given enough thought, or sought out enough information on the changes taking place in our church, in our society and in the world, or have we “left that to others”? Are we ready to give a well reasoned Christian response to questions of ecumenism, poverty, human sexuality, evangelism and many others?
Perhaps through repentance of our own failings we can become more aware of our need for a better understanding of these issues and for finding solutions. This will require tenacity of purpose on our part; remember that God is tenacious, never giving up on us, and Jesus was tenacious to the end.
Ron Merrett