Thus says the Lord: The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away^. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

-Jeremiah 31:2-3 (NRSV)

We live in a day and age where love does not seem to be well-defined at all. It has evolved into something to be cherished when convenient, but easily disposed of when inconvenient or just “not fun any more.” Fortunately, that is not the way God defines love. If it were, I fear humanity would have perished long ago for its attitudes and actions.

God continues to demonstrate the validity of those words even today in this modern, scientific, disbelieving world. People demand proof, scientific ‘evidence’ of the existence of our Creator. To them I say, look around and [in the tradition of King James’ rendering] behold! God is as much alive and active in today’s world as in days of old. Just as then, we need to be open as His people to hearing His voice and seeing the wonderful things He does in this age.

Many people of various Christian tradition are celebrating the season of Lent. During this time, as we reflect on the sacrifice that Christ has made for us and what is expected from us, let us not forget to look around and see how His gift of grace is as necessary in the modern age as ever.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14 (NRSV)