February 23, 2015

Mark 1:15 “The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

The joke goes “How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb?” “Only one; but the light bulb has to want to change.” Repentance has to do with change. The word used in the original language of the New Testament deals with a change of mind or perspective while its counterpart in the original language of the Old Testament has to do with turning the direction of one’s life. Change is inevitable. We see it in the weather and the seasons and our bodies. The issue is whether or not we will meet these changes in such a way that they draw us closer to God and God’s love, joy and peace. The good news that the above verse, and Jesus, asks us to believe is that such change is possible because God is ultimately in charge (king in his kingdom) and comes to us when we cannot get to him. Lent is a season to carve out time to consider what God is doing and how we can better align our lives with it. How will you do that this week?