Thursday after Ash Wednesday

                 Psalm 37:19-42       Habakkuk 3:1-18     Philippians 3:12-21 John 17.1-8

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

The season of lent is about reflection and preparation before the celebration of Easter. 

In the reading from John, Jesus mentions that he had finished his work, the work that God sent him out to do.  Jesus gave his life for us and for our salvation.  He knew his plan and he paid the price.   When someone dies, I often wonder what was their purpose? Did they fulfill God’s wishes? How do we know?  What were their special talents or strengths that were pleasing to God and how did they bless others?

I wonder from time to time, what is my purpose?  Is it living the word of God to the best of my ability? Is it sharing the gospel? Is it a smile to a stranger, or a phone call to a friend?  Is it being a great husband and father? Is it giving a loving hug that is needed from time to time? Is it the prayer for someone that does not know that I am praying for them?  Maybe it is a freshly baked sour cream pound cake for someone who is sick or someone celebrating a birthday. Or the feeling you get when you think of someone, and you reach out to them.  It always amazes me that I can think of someone I have not spoken with in quite some time and when I reach out, they feel the blessing from their own prayers, and then they know that God is listening.  

I do believe that my purpose is all of this and more.  We are to be witnesses for God.  In doing the things that are pleasing to him we know he lives in our hearts and one day, we will reap the greatest reward of spending eternity with him. 

I pray today as you reflect on this Lenten season, you too, will consider your purpose, and share your talents and gifts with others. 

Rodney Varnadore