“The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

There is so much in that short sentence for us to think about.
First, The kingdom of God. What is that? It can be both near and far at the same time. Some of us are closer than others, Jesus tells us. It had drawn near 2,000 years ago and is it still near to us right here and now. If so what is it all about?

Next, One thing Jesus makes clear is that it is good news. How about that. And it seems to be a mystery we begin to discover when we repent.

Finally, “Repent”? What does that mean for us now? Starting today, Ash Wednesday, we enter the time of Lent. It is a time to ask ourselves afew questions.

1. Where am I with the Kingdom of God?
2. What does it mean to me?

1. What must I do to enter in more deeply?

Repentance involves change. But first it involves acknowledgment of the need for change. It involves asking forgiveness, maybe not just of God but of each other. Then, setting out to change ourselves, our behavior, our thoughts, words and deeds.
We have 40 days to reflect on all this. These are questions only we can answer for ourselves.

1. What do I need to change about myself to enter the Kingdom of God?
2. How have we missed the boat?
3. Or even what would I like to change about myself? My thoughts words, behaviors?

Once we acknowledge a need and desire to change we can ask forgiveness and ask God’s grace to help us.
“Return to me with your whole heart” says the Lord.
Are we in this journey in the Kingdom wholeheartedly? A journey that requires repentance and change.
In order to do that we have to spend some time getting to know our hearts. May these next 40 days be a time of returning to your own heart and reflecting on what your own conscience may be telling you about what you can work on in your own personal repentance.