Throughout this past month at First United Methodist, Spencer has used Ephesians 5:21-33 as the basis of his sermon series, “Till Death Do Us Part.” (which you can catch up on over here: http://www.kearneyfumc.org/go/downloads)
As we dove into the scripture and discovered how this passage applies to husbands, we also read Romans 5:8.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
As Lent begins, this scripture is a remarkable reminder of God’s demonstration of His love for us through his son Jesus Christ.
Before we asked for forgiveness…
Before we said we’re sorry…
Before we got our lives together…
Christ died for us.
Plain and simple. We didn’t have to ask for it. We didn’t need to apologize for our wrong doing. We didn’t need to scramble to appear that we have it all put together. We didn’t have to beg for forgiveness or a second chance.
Simply put, Christ died for us because He loves us. It’s unfathomable, it’s incredible, it’s ridiculous.
Everyday I do at least one stupid thing. I screw up. I’m not nice. I complain. I fail. I sin. Yet without me asking for forgiveness, or saying that I’m sorry, Christ died for me.
We hurt His children, we doing things that displease Him, and yet, He sent His son to die for us. You and me.
Several years ago, I gave up Facebook for Lent. I was too consumed by all of the things that my friends were doing. I was jealous. I spent more time indulging in what others had and their life situations, than I did on my life.
This year, I’m giving up much of what I currently have been using my phone for – social media and mindless games. More often than not, I will find myself surrounded by the people I love, yet I choose to spend my time engaged with my phone. Surfing Facebook or Instagram, fueling the jealousy bug.
I am tired of putting so much time and energy into something that doesn’t make me happy. Something that causes me to have negative thoughts about others, something that doesn’t help me love like Jesus.
I was feeling like my life was inadequate. I wasn’t doing enough. I wasn’t involved in enough. I felt like the timeline of my life wasn’t moving fast enough. I’m not in the same timeline as a lot of my friends. I wasn’t getting married. I’m not having kids. I didn’t move to a great new city. I’m not buying a brand new car. I’m not traveling and vacationing in all of the places I want to explore.
Yet despite all of this. I still find myself scrolling through.
I want Lent this year to mean something. I want to focus on ridding myself of some of the negative, and filling it with positive scripture, podcasts and readings. I want to revel in the goodness and greatness of God’s love.
Spencer’s sermons on “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ,” have focused on love goes first. Love doesn’t wait for an apology, or invitation, or second chance request. Love goes first.
I want to be in a better place on Easter morning, where I can rejoice in the resurrection of our Savior and submit to others in love. To put God’s people first, to love them and serve them.
Until then all my social media friends, I’ll catch ya later!
Adventures with Abbey Jo 
Leave a comment