“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;” Joel 2: 5 ESV.
This is a challenging verse from Joel and so appropriate for us as we begin our journey through Lent into Easter. It points out the path for us to follow, an invitation if you like from the heart of God, who with open arms and longing eyes pleads with us to return to him with all our heart.
The question we hear going around in this season is; “what are you giving up for Lent this year”. Some people go to great lengths to give up something. The favourite is chocolate, whilst others look to find something meaningful to give up or even start doing. We can use Lent this year to help us give our lives a bit of a ‘reset’ just as my computer does when you least expect it. We could reflect on our priorities in life and realign our will with God’s own, and strengthen his position in our lives. Lent for us is a time of reflection and preparation, a journey of returning to God as we move toward Easter day.
This to my mind is important for how many times, in our everyday activities, have we been heard to say: “Lord, I will come to you later, just wait a little while… I can’t come today, but tomorrow I will begin to pray and do something for others.” This can become common practice for us and we do it, time and time again and right now, God is speaking to our hearts. In this life, we will always have things to do, places to be and excuses to offer which is ok, but right now, it is time to reflect and prepare ourselves as we look and think upon what Jesus did for us at Calvary. It is the time to return to God says Joel.
When you read the lyrics of the hymn that Philip Bliss wrote, it kind of brings it all back to us.
“Man of sorrows!” what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood,
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
Guilty, vile and helpless we,
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished,” was His cry;
Now in heav’n exalted high:
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
We used to sing in Sunday School: There’s a way back to God from the dark paths of sin; there’s a door that is open that all may go in; at Calvary’s cross is where you begin, when you come as a sinner to Jesus.
Amongst the eggs and the bunnies at Easter, is the cross, which is still standing.
Tom Bonnar
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