Andy's Blog: A Personal Word

February 16, 2010

Feb. 16, 2010

Just one day is not much in the grand scheme of things. If we live to be 75, we will have lived 27,750 days – one day just like the others for the most part. But there are those single days which stand out, because on that single day something happens which shapes all the days that will follow.

Several summers ago, I stood on the beaches of Normandy in France, where 60 plus years ago the allied armies launched their invasion to liberate Europe from the Nazi tyranny. D-Day was perhaps the single most important day in the 20th Century. Within that 24 hour span of time, the course of history shifted towards freedom. The decisive battle was fought and won.

As Christians, we have our D-Day – the last day of Jesus’ life among us. Jesus is believed to have lived to the age of 33. The gospels devote most of their attention to just three of those years. And of those three years, the primary focus was on just one day – the day Jesus was crucified. In 2 Corinthians Paul writes, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

At the cross, something happened that forever altered the course of history. On that day, the Gospels declare God acted decisively to bring about redemption; to free us from sin and death. No other event has had more impact on history than what happened on that day. 

Our theme for Lent this year is “24 Hours That Changed the World.” During this season, we will walk with Jesus. Sit beside him at the Last Supper. Pray with him in Gethsemane. Follow him to the cross. Deny him and desert him. In that journey, there is the promise that we will be changed. 

I invite us all to enter this Lenten season open to what God wants to do in us and through us. Make worship, Bible study, and prayer your top priorities in this season. May these 40 days shape all of the other days of our lives. 

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