We are on the brink of nuclear war. Russia is getting desperate and North Korea’s leader is always trying to start something. Prices are going up and people are feeling the financial strain. It’s even hard to feel safe in our own schools and cities with all the violence going on. It’s easy to be afraid, but we shouldn’t be.
Let’s take a step back and ask ourselves what’s truly important to us. What do we live for and what are we willing to die for? If we live for what the world provides, then life can very easily be scary. However, if we live for what Jesus promises us, then there is no need to fear.
Living for what the world offers us is scary because it doesn’t offer anything eternal. Everything will eventually wear out and everyone will eventually die. Where is death’s sting when we live our lives with the primary goal of gaining eternal life with Jesus in Heaven? I’m sure we all want to live full and happy lives, but death isn’t as scary when our primary goal lies right beyond it. Some people cling onto life with all of their might, because that’s all there is to them. To an atheist, life ends after death, so losing it would be scarier for them than for a person of faith who believes that life continues after death.
Our lives are so busy, that we sometimes have a hard time finding time for God. We go from doing one thing to another and constantly stay busy doing something. Try to take a little quiet time this Lent and not only talk to God, but listen as well. This is very hard for me because not doing anything feels strange to me. Silence can also be uncomfortable if we aren’t used to it, but it allows us to think more clearly. We need some time to contemplate life and sort out the problems and issues that come our way. If we always stay busy and never take time to think and contemplate, our priorities can become out of whack.
We should remain vigilant in our lives, but we shouldn’t be afraid. The more afraid we are of death, the more we should reevaluate our relationship with God. During the transfiguration of Jesus, the disciples were afraid. However, Jesus said to them, “Rise and do not be afraid.” When they raised their eyes all they saw was Jesus. We too can become afraid when we let the things going on around us distract us. Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and be not afraid.
