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SCRIPTURE READINGS
GENESIS 15:1-12,17-18 
PHILIPPIANS 3:17-4:1 
LUKE 13:31-35 

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Singleness of purpose” Singleness of purpose is having a strong, focused and unwavering determination to achieve a specific goal or objective. ” Dear friend, we must have singleness of purpose because of the following reason which shall be the main points for our reflection: 

1. God’s singleness of purpose in our lives is achieved through faith.
2. The singleness of our purpose is to become citizens of Heaven.
3. The singleness of our purpose is to accomplish God’s mission or our calling on earth.

Firstly beloved in the Lord, God has purpose for us and this purpose will be achieved if we have faith in Him. In the first Scripture reading, we realise that because Abram had faith and a covenant relationship with God, He petitioned the Lord when He was in dire need of a son or an heir. God assured Abram as he then was that “Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Genesis 15:1). The Lord further promised him that “This man (Eliezer) will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir. ” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars —if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”(Genesis 15:4-6). Dear friend in the Lord, the Lord is our sustainer and provider, He has a covenant with us through our Lord Jesus Christ therefore we can always in faith call upon His name. Paul further encourages us that “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile —the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13) 

Second, as Christians or believers, we are single in our purpose to become citizens of Heaven. In the recent Russia-Ukraine war, Ghanaian students who were stranded in Ukraine called upon the Government of Ghana to be repatriated. They were able to call on the Government of Ghana because they were citizens of Ghana and the nation owes them the responsibility of ensuring that they are safe. Similarly, because we are saved by Jesus the singleness of our purpose is to acquire the citizenship of Heaven. It is, for this reason, Paul in the second Scripture reading admonished us to be focused and not set their minds on earthly things for “… our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21). Let us remember that as our main purpose is to become citizens of the heavenly Kingdom, let us continue to trust and obey God’s Word and live for His glory. 

Thirdly, being citizens of heaven who are on earth, the singleness of our purpose is to accomplish God’s mission or our calling while we are on earth. Just like Christ who had the singleness of purpose or the mission to save souls, we are also to continue that mission amidst persecution and opposition. We must always have this singleness of purpose to carry out God’s mission as a church and as individual Christians although the mission is tough and comes with persecutions and oppositions. In the third Scripture reading Jesus assured us that when we call on the Lord at all times, He will enable us to achieve our purpose or mission. It is for this reason when the Pharisee informed Him about Herod’s plan to kill Him, He answered “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.” (Luke 13:32). Dear friend, without the empowerment of God, we cannot reach our goals in life and fulfil our mission and purpose in life but when we call on the name of the Lord at all times, we shall by His grace attain our goals to the glory of His name. Praise the Lord! Do not be intimidated by the threats of your enemies “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). David shared his testimony of calling on the Lord at all times that “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. (Psalms 91:7-8) 

In summary, we must have singleness of purpose as believers even as we journey through the Lent season. The reflection has revealed to us that God’s singleness of purpose in our lives is achieved through faith, the singleness of our purpose is to become citizens of Heaven, and last but not least, the singleness of our purpose is to accomplish God’s mission or our calling on earth.  May the Holy Spirit enable us always to put our trust in God even as He fulfils His purpose in our lives.