There was a movie that came out 10 to 15 years ago called "The Shawshank Redemption." It was a sad, but memorable movie about a man unjustly imprisoned, who in the course of the movie turns a corrupt prison system on its end and makes his way to freedom in the process. Most of the movie wouldn't make good material for a Christian message, but there is one key phrase that always sticks in my mind, and are words worth considering. "You better get busy livin' or you better get busy dyin'."
With a Christian view of that phrase, we understand that life is a matter of choices and priorities. The natural inclination for us as sinners is to make the most of life in this world--to eat, drink, and be merry as the Bible describes it. But from an eternal perspective, all that is, is busying yourself with that which brings no life, or hope, or salvation. You are 'getting busy' with dying.
But in an interesting twist of logic, Jesus points out in scripture that if you die to the world, and follow Him who died for your sins, you will have life! This March, as we begin the Lenten Season, we again become ever mindful of all that it took to bring us who were lost in the darkness of our sin, to a redemption and a salvation that makes us God's children and heirs of eternal life. Jesus paid the price of the condemnation for our sin. He suffered and died on the cross, and then rose from the dead to grant us the victory.
For us, even though we sadly look at the unjust suffering of Jesus during this season, we can also be joyful for what He has done for us. Jesus got busy dying so that we could get busy living!
God's blessings to you this Lenten season!
