I have begun a habit which I am almost ashamed to admit. Why? Because if I admit that I do this, I will admit that I am getting older. I read the obituaries! I look at the obituaries to see if I know anyone. It might not be so bad if I only looked at the ones in our local area, but I often pull up newspapers on the internet of places I have served as pastor. Do you do this to some extent as well? Is this a bad habit or a good habit? Is it morbid curiosity or concern? Well, I like to think that it is concern for those folks I have known and the families to whom I may send a card of condolence. It goes to show that as we get older, our priorities change as well as some of our habits.
Recently when I conducted an Ash Wednesday Service I was reminded again that our time here on earth is fleeting. Not only will we return to the earth from which God created us, but in the meantime, we reach a point in life when we realize that our best physical years are behind us. (If you are 40 or over, it is likely you know what I mean!)
My point is that even though our physical bodies may peak, our minds and hearts should continue to grow stronger in Christ Jesus. I think this is what Jesus is speaking about when He is asked which commandment is the greatest in Matthew 22:37. Jesus replies “love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”
As we enter into the Lenten Season (40 days before Easter excluding Sundays) we are called to re-examine our lives and look deep within ourselves for answers. In those times when we drop the pretense and truthfully acknowledge who we are, I believe that we are people who desire a closer relationship with God, not merely a superficial one. But we are distracted by so many other things in our lives. We would love to spend more time in prayer and Bible study, if only we had the time. We would love to do more for those around us who are in need, but we have schedules to keep and bills to pay. Much of the time, life itself gets in the way of feeling better about our eternal life. Is that really true? If you don’t want to be offended, you had better stop reading now. Are you ready to look beyond the excuses? Are you ready to hear the truth and the gospel?
The truth is… we make time for those things we love and hold dear. Yes, it can be difficult and yet, it can be so easy. It is simply a habit, like my looking up obituaries on the internet. Simply taking the time to say a prayer each morning, to read a scripture verse (try placing a Bible in the rest room and read a little each day), ponder deep questions of life, or turn off your cell phone and carry on a conversation with God in the car on the way to work. Lots of little things will make our relationship with God more meaningful to us.
As for God, you are and always will be, His beloved, but I am absolutely sure that God wants you to use that wonderful mind that He gave you to think about Him. So, do yourself a favor and make a few extra moments for God in your schedule. You may wonder how you got through life without them. My hope for you is that such small, yet vital, moments taken now, will make the next life (eternity) seem that much more of a comfortable place for you to look forward to.
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