day 17, lent 2009

friday...

3.13.09 at 9.30 p.m.

a great friday the 13th...

words from nouwen: "for a christian is only a christian when he unceasingly asks critical questions of the society in which he lives and continuously stresses the necessity for conversion, not only of the individual but also of the world. a christian is only a christian when he refuses to allow himself or anyone else to settle into a comfortable rest. he remains dissatisfied with the status quo. and he believes that he has an essential role to play in the realization of the new world to come -- even if he cannot say how that world will come about. a christian is only a christian when he keeps saying to everyone he meets that the good news of the kingdom has to be proclaimed to the whole world and witnessed to all the nations [Matthew 24.13]."

have i "settled into a comfortable rest"?

do i "remain dissatisfied with the status quo"?

do i still hold to the kingdom dream that i have "an essential role to play in the realization of the new world to come"?

i am reminded of the truth of 1 corinthians 15.58: "therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is never in vain."

NEVER IN VAIN!

not now -- not forever...

i am not sure how, but i really believe that in some God-ordained way our kingdom labors TODAY [when done with purity of heart] translate / transfer into the parousia of TOMORROW...

our work for the Lord not only makes a difference now [in this world], but will also prove significant in the future [in the world to come]...

in the language of our culture, we really do "pay it forward..."

so, let's excel in the work of the kingdom -- for now and forever!

"may your kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven..."

shalom...

guy

have a great weekend!!!