Amen, Amen ! Is Enough

Wednesday began the Lenten season, that time of year when we fast, reflect and sacrifice of ourselves along with Jesus until Easter Morning. All around the world people have given up things for lent to better themselves as well as to grow in their relationship to God through Jesus Christ.

Today's scripture for reflection comes from Mark 1:9-14~ Lets look!

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. ¹¹And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

The Temptation of Jesus

12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. ¹³He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, ¹⁵and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.

The gospel writer reminds us of the temptation of Christ in the wilderness for forty days. During this 40 day Lenten season we are reminded of the temptation from the things that draw us away from God, we are reminded of the things that we lust after which do us harm.

As I strive this Lenten season to renew my relationship and grow closer to God, I am reminded of my nephew's relationship to God. My nephew is only two years old, so he does not know about lent or even any biblical stories yet, he can't read or write. Despite all of that he has a strong relationship with God. My nephew knows how to praise, how to love, and how to live.

What do I mean?

If you could sit with my nephew for a while you would see him greet everyone with an I love you hello or good bye, he says I love you with so much energy you know he means it and it can turn your day around. As far as his relationship with God, all he can say is A-Men. In the house you can hear his resounding A-Men, A-Men. During worship service when the preacher is preaching you can hear his resounding A-Men, A-Men. During communion softly he will say A-men.

This little one who is only two, knows how to praise and thank God, he knows how to get closer to God than we do with our fast, our bible studies, or scriptural interpretations and 40 years in the same church and pew!

For this little man Amen, Amen is enough. Because it comes from his heart straight to God's ears, O yes he knows what lent is truly about, getting closer to God!

Today, indeed this Lenten season don't let the fasting, and bible studies distract you from the real purpose of the season to get closer to God through Jesus Christ. Sometimes AMEN is ENOUGH!

Until next week Be Well,
A-Men and A-Men