Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, a time is
coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and
those who hear will live.” -John 5:25 NIV
I have always read this
passage as a promise of life after death. Certainly, in the context of the whole chapter, it says that those who
have died will rise on the Day of Judgment and go on to eternal life or eternal
damnation. But wait! -- as the TV ads
always say -- there’s more!
It also speaks to those
of us who are still living but not really alive, those who are caught up in
selfish material pursuits or consumed by anger and bitterness or weighed down
by helpless fear of death – the walking dead.
Have you ever felt dead
inside? Wondered at the seeming
pointlessness of life? Been shamed by a
sense of failure? Wallowed in
self-pity? Been paralyzed with
anxiety? Even in those moments of
darkness, God was and is and will be there holding out light. God is always reaching out to us, whispering
words of forgiveness, encouragement, and grace.
During this season set
aside for reflection, LISTEN for God’s voice – in scripture, in nature, in
neighbors. Daily God calls us to live –
really live. He calls us to set our
hearts on the things that matter, to seek justice for the marginalized and
powerless, to have mercy on those who have wronged us, to show kindness to
those in need, to have compassion for those who are suffering. Hear God’s voice, really hear it. Believe God’s promises and step out in
faith. Offer your life – as a whole –
and one day at a time – to serve him to his honor. Answer his invitation and surrender to his
loving will. Step out in LOVE and truly
LIVE.
Prayer: Holy God and Father, help us to listen for your voice. Help us to hear what you say to us and to heed your word. Grant that we may live in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
--Martha Butler
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