Thought for the Day - Monday 5 April 2021

Thought for Monday 5 April 2021 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (New International Version)   For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. Today’s reading is an extract from 2 Corinthians chapter 5.  Among other things, this chapter tells us that when the earthly tent we live in is taken down, we will have a home in heaven and an eternal body made for us by God’s own hands. Our present bodies eventually wear out.  This is something we don’t think about when we’re young but the older we get, we have no option other than to recognise this fact of life.  Our current bodies are not eternal.  We get wrinkles.  If we don’t lose our hair, it gradually becomes grey.  We may well end up going through hip or knee replacement surgery because these joints we have had from birth simply wear out.  There are few of us that don’t need to wear spectacles or lenses.  It is natural and normal for our bodies to physically wear out in this earthly life. It goes on to say that as long as we live in these bodies, we are not at home with the Lord, and we have to live by believing and not seeing.  Whether we are in this life, or the next, our aim should be to please God. While we are in this world, we believe that Christ died for everyone.  Once we believe this, our priority should be to please Jesus rather than spending all our time just trying to please ourselves.  This what today’s reading teaches us.  We cannot call ourselves Christians without doing as much as our physical limitations allow, to please him in this life.  It should be our aim whether in this life or the next, to simply please our Lord that bore our sins and conquered death itself for all those who would seek him out. Prayer Heavenly Father, Another Easter has passed when we remember all you went through on our behalf, and then celebrate the victory on the third day when you conquered death itself.  Help us reflect seriously on the events of Easter because our faith is built on nothing less.  Unlike our physical bodies in this life, the Easter story grows stronger over time, and it truly, will never wear out.  Christ is risen, He is risen indeed.  Help us set our minds to pleasing Him.  Amen.