Carolyn Bennett watched the news broadcasting the horror of centuries of history go up in flames in what is now thought to be caused by an electrical fire to France’s Notre Dame Cathedral. Listening to music on the radio titled, ‘Nothing is Forever, she began to think back to the fire in France, and about the confusion and chaos surrounding events immediately following the death of Jesus. Carolyn’s message is of hope as she reflects the doubt and flood of emotions the apostles would have had to deal with.
Carolyn was a Trainer and Assessor with aifc for several years and is still a part of the aifc family and one who prays continually for us. Enjoy her Lent to Easter reflection.
Nothing Is Forever – A Lent To Easter Reflection
As the musical composition Nothing is Forever by Australian composer Matthew Hindson played on the radio my thoughts turned to the news of the day.
Along with millions around the globe I watched, stunned, as the spire of the Notre Dame Cathedral collapsed. Many of the ancient and priceless artifacts, were saved, but this magnificent, historical, architectural treasure had sustained extensive damage from both fire and water.
I thought how true the title of the composition Nothing is Forever seemed. The cathedral can be rebuilt but ultimately even things as magnificent as this building will pass away.
During Lent we have journeyed with Jesus and the disciples toward Jerusalem. We know that the remainder of the journey will take us from the Upper Room to the garden, from Jesus’ arrest and trial to the crucifixion, from the cross to the grave and ultimately to the resurrection morn.
What a roller coaster of emotions the disciples must have felt. What thoughts would have passed through their mind as things seemingly unraveled? The horror of the events left them confused, lost and frightened. To them it must have seemed that absolutely nothing is forever. Yet all they had seen and heard and experienced during Jesus’ earthly ministry and the reality of the resurrection uncovered the lie and confirmed the truth that while earthly things fade away GOD IS FOREVER. His love fully expressed through his son Jesus in the Easter story is not temporal but eternal.
God’s love triumphant o’er death is the only power that can transform our fear to faith, our despair to hope and our hatred to love. Scripture reminds us that three things remain faith hope and love and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
This Easter may you once again come face to face with the crucified and risen Christ. May you experience the joy of that resurrection morn and may you have the deep assurance that he is indeed the Son of God our Saviour.
Permission – Carolyn Bennett
ABC News coverage of the Notre Dame Cathedral Fire.
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YouTube – Mathew Hindson – Nothing is Forever
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