PUNISHMENT

In response to the Daily Challenge, I am writing about PUNISHMENT. Now all around the world, we all have different associations and experiences with the word. Punishment for me, brings back memories of when I was a disobedient kid and I had to be grounded or whacked with my dad’s leather belt (sinturon, in Tagalog). I understand that for some cultures, spanking and the use of sinturon is a bit extreme, but I’d have to say I’m grateful for the discipline. Values have indeed been instilled in me and I know that my parents were only doing their job of correcting me.

On the spiritual aspect, PUNISHMENT would mean eternal separation from the Lord. God is overflowing with grace and mercy, He gives us so many chances to repent of our sins and come into His presence with repentant, humble hearts. A lot of people think that humbling oneself before the Lord is out-dated, will take away freedom and is overly boring. It is so easy to be enticed by the world and it’s attractions but we have to constantly remind ourselves that these attractions will pass away. In the end, what matters is where you are going to spend the rest of eternity–will it be in the presence of God or will it be in punishment–far away from His presence, His grace and glory?