"Eight, nine, ten! Ready or not, here I come!" For me, these two short phrases bring back all sorts of summer memories from years gone past when my friends and I would take turns hiding from each other. I remember the favorite places, the thrill of the hunt, the exhilaration of the chase, and the nervous expectation of waiting.
During the season of Lent, we wait in eager expectation for our saving hope to come for us. For some, this can be a season of fear and nervousness. They might find themselves stressed as they recount their sins and the things they've done wrong over the course of the year. While Lent is certainly a time of reflection and repentance over the misdeeds in our lives, it is also a time when we must focus on the forgiveness Jesus won for us at the cross. And with our eyes ever hopeful, we must look forward to His coming glory.
John's revelation reminds us of the victory for those who have the privilege of being made part of the body of Christ through faith. As we continue in our Lenten season, we look forward to the empty tomb; we look forward to the day when we too will rise because of what Christ has done for us. We cannot help but raise our hearts, hands, and voices in praise to Him who has given us so great a salvation.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Son who came into the world to fulfill that which we could never fulfill. Help us, even as we are continually reminded of the reason for Christ's death, to be hopeful for our future in eternity with Him because of His great sacrifice. Remind us daily of Your great love for us and the future that has been prepared for those whom You love. Amen
Written by Pastor Mark Schulze
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Twin Falls, Idaho
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