Each day goes by quicker than the previous one. Today the leaves on the trees are lush and green. But it seems like only a few days from now, we will look up again and see that they are bright red and yellow. And so time flies.

As we prepare to leave our home, family and friends to go to Michigan for AFM training, we cannot help but feel a sense of urgency—not only physically, but spiritually as well. Time is running out. God presents an important matter in Luke 13. We need to repent and keep on repenting. From every experience of life we can learn, if we will, how to walk before God more perfectly with humble hearts. Disappointment, misfortune and calamity, whether witnessed or experienced, can teach the humble, receptive child of God precious lessons that can be learned in no other way. We cannot help but ask ourselves the question: “Are you, oh careless heart, a fruitless tree in the Lord’s vineyard?” We have taken the name of Christ, we are outwardly a member of the church which is His body, but sometimes the sweet graces of His character—the fruits of the Spirit—are not seen in our lives. Linked with the extension of mercy is also the implied warning that this one more opportunity might be the last. The reality of Luke 13:5 has to speak to us daily. “I tell you, no; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” The coming of the Lord is at hand. Let us ask God in prayer to guide us to repent and continue repenting.

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