How?s your Advent going?
With Christmas a few days away and Advent winding to a close, you may be questioning my timing. We?ve had three weeks to get rid of the clutter in our lives and make room for Jesus. Isn?t it too late to do anything about it now? Fortunately for us, it?s never too late.
It may seem out of place to focus on Good Friday as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, but one of the many lessons that Christ teaches us from the Cross is that it?s never too late to repent and turn to Him. Do you remember the ?good thief? who was being crucified next to Jesus? If anyone ever had a reason to despair, it was this guy! But, while bound to a cross and preparing to die for his crimes, he owned up to his misdeeds and pleaded for mercy:
?Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.? (Luke 23:42)
The Lord?s response gives us an idea of how merciful He can be when we approach Him with repentant hearts.
?Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.? (Luke 23:43)
Jesus knew that the thief was limited in what he could do and didn?t hold it against him. In a similar way, He also knows that we only have a few days to prepare for His arrival. Rather than despair over wasted time, let?s use these final days to make room for Him. I guarantee it?s not too late!
Jesus, I?m sorry that I wasted time during the Advent season. I invite you to come into my heart now and transform me. Increase my desire to follow you in all areas of my life. Just as you did with the ?good thief?, I know you will hear and answer my prayer. Amen.
