A Stark Reminder

As life bubbles along and we focus on the things coming our way, the appointments in our diary, the obligations before us, the fun we want to have, the things, perhaps, that we want to buy … it's so easy to lose sight of what truly matters. And when that happens, as it's bound to, we just drift along like a rudderless boat on the ocean. Back in 1774, at age nineteen, Louis XVI of France ascended the throne, inheriting a nation built by generations of monarchs and statesmen, many of whom had made strategic sacrifices to maintain stability. But rather than being grateful, he ignored their legacy, indulging in extravagance while the country faced economic collapse. Oblivious to the suffering of his people, he resisted reform until it was too late – triggering the French Revolution and ultimately losing both his throne, and his life to the guillotine. There are some people in this world today who've been gifted their entry into the Kingdom of God freely through God's grace, through a faith in Jesus who died and rose again for them, but who, like King Louis, have lost sight of what's been done for them. Now I don't mean that judgementally. It's purely a statement of fact. After all, it's so easy to do. So, today, a wakeup call on what Jesus did for you: Isaiah 53:5 He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. (NRSV) Friend, Jesus suffered and died for you. Please, never lose sight of that powerful truth in how you live your life. Never. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.