For the past decade or so, I have heard people complaining that they have been stretched to their limits. Calendars have been subdivided to demarcate 15 minute segments of time. Parents fill what was once "free time" with chauffeuring several children to different locations for night time activities. Technology has created for many a 24/7 work week through their smart phones or tablets. We are stretched to our limits.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that even some of our technology is now stretched to the limit or should I say packed. Have you ever heard of Moore's Law? The premise is that computing power doubles every two years. Well Moore's Law may be coming to an end because computer chips are running out of space on which to add more circuits. Perhaps nothing is limitless in this life.
That is unless you are talking about God's love. The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:7 says that the peace of Christ which transcends all understanding will protect our hearts. That's good news because our hearts need protecting when we wind down from our days so often packed beyond our limits.
In fact, it is Christ who entered into our human limitations in order to bring us peace. Jesus brought healing to those whose diseased bodies tested the limits of health. He welcomed sinners to come eat at his table while the self-righteous limited their table to only those like them. He beckoned little children to come to him, while society's norm at that time severely limited their value as human beings.
Jesus tested our beliefs on the limits humans placed on God; whom God loves, how to "win" God's favor and who is in and who is out in God's kingdom.
In fact, Jesus entered into the ultimate limit in life- death - to show how deep and how far God's love is willing to go for us.
This Lent as you reflect upon the greatest love of all, may your hearts be protected by the peace of Christ which passes all understanding.
Prayer for Today
Protect our hearts, we pray O Lord, for our burdens often overwhelm us and feel as if they are too much to bear. Bless us with the peace of Christ, so that through the mercy he offers to our lives, we might find our rest in him. Amen.
