March 22 Lenten Devotional "Seize the Day for Christ"

OPENING PRAYER. . .Loving God, Creator of all that is, here I am--today in this place that you have given me, with all the senses you have given me. Help me to use them to experience you on a deeper level. May I experience you all around me, open me to know more of your ways and know that your goodness surrounds me. Thank you for this time to be with you and to just listen. Amen

LISTEN. . . "While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, 'This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.'"

CONSIDER. . . .Above the entrance to our church is a sign that says, "God is Love". Some people have said that the sign caught their attention in their most difficult times and brought them closer to God--although some in our community have hardly even noticed the sign.  There are signs all around us that point to God--the beauty of a sunset, the roaring of the waves on the ocean or even Lake Michigan, the birth of a baby, the spontaneous hug from a child, or the care and concern of a friend--if we only have eyes to recognize them.  However, the greatest sign of God's love and presence is JESUS, the power and compassion of our God.  After Jesus heals a man of an evil spirit, the people in the crowd respond by saying his works are by the power of the devil, and others call for him to give them a sign.  His healing of the man is not enough but Jesus refuses to give them another sign and calls them to hear and obey the Word of God.  The Ninevites hear Jonah's preaching and repent and change their lives, and yet those seeing Jesus healing this man, refuse to hear and obey Jesus, the Word of God.

SO WHAT. . . Lent is an opportunity for us to hear once again Jesus' call to change our hearts and live according to the Gospel.  Are we like the crowds following Jesus and asking for yet another sign?  Or will we take the opportunity we have to repent of our selfish ways and follow Christ?  That's what the Lenten season is about; seizing each day to repent and choosing to follow Christ. No half-hearted response to God's unconditional love revealed in Jesus will be sufficient. Are you ready to seize today for Christ and in each subsequent day of Lent?  It's your choice.

PRAYER. . . Dear God, please open my eyes to the signs of your love today and in the coming days.  Cleanse my heart, open my ears to your voice and renew my spirit today and every day. Amen.