SR 247 must be the home base for every deer in Adams County. I drive that road very cautiously to avoid hitting a deer running across the road. If you see one deer, wait for the other six to follow. But on this one night, I encountered something new. A deer lay on its side in the middle of my lane, probably hit by another car. It was still alive, moving its legs as if trying to run. By the time I saw the deer, it was too late. I hit the poor creature again. I felt so guilty to cause it more pain. I also felt guilty that right before hitting it I got distracted fiddling with the radio. If I had only kept my eyes on the road instead of changing the station, maybe I could have prevented the accident. As it is said, “Hindsight is always 20/20.” When you look back at situations that didn’t turn out so good, you can more clearly see how to do it better.
That is what repentance is all about. The word “repent” comes from two Greek words that mean, “to see clearly afterwards.” We are all pilgrim people travelling the road to Jesus. We are residents of another country called Heaven. God’s people are as strangers, just passing through this earth for a very brief time. The Bible says, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)
Since Heaven is our home, we must live in a heavenly manner. We must live like Jesus. This is why repentance is so important. Jesus said that you perish if you don’t repent. It is easy to get distracted with the false lights of this world. St. Paul wrote, “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Cor 11:14) Satan tries to take your eyes off the heavenly road. Repentance gives the clear vision to get you back on the right road to Jesus when you realize afterwards you’re lost on a detour called sin. There are seven detours that lead you away from Heaven: pride, greed, anger, lust, envy, gluttony and laziness. Thankfully, God has built for you an “on ramp” to get you back on the heavenly path. It’s called love. God says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)
Repentance can take years before someone realizes they must get right with God. God is patient. He waits. I witnessed in nature what God’s patience looks like. There are two bald eagle mates for life named Jackie and Shadow. A live camera has broadcast for seven years their love as they bring forth little eaglets into the world. Their nest is 125 feet high in the Big Bear Valley. After an empty nest for several years, Jackie finally laid three eggs this year. Both eagles have faithfully sat on those eggs through the worst conditions possible. Sometimes the wind is so strong, the whole nest might blow away. A winter storm brought 45 inches of snow. Poor Jackie was buried under snow with only her head sticking out, but she kept sitting on her eggs, undaunted. Shadow would catch fish for her to eat. Jackie stayed right on that nest knowing her babies would die without her warmth.
Finally, Jackie and Shadow watched as the first fledgling began to hatch, followed by the other two eggs. Their patience and love bore fruit with new life. It was heartwarming to see Jackie rip pieces of fish with her beak and place them into her eaglet’s mouth.
God is patient with sinners, waiting for them to break out of the shell of sin. “The Lord… is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Happy Lent
