For each day of Lent starting on Ash Wednesday (Valentine's Day this year; rough news for any of you giving up chocolate!), I will be posting a devotional reading. I will be using a passage of scripture drawn from the Revised Common Lectionary daily readings for that day, followed by some thoughts for reflection. If you are already doing daily scripture reading from the lectionary, this can augment your existing practice. (I have found it an excellent way to get in the habit of daily scripture reading myself.) Please share any thoughts, questions, or comments as you are working through the days. My hope is that we can all draw nearer to God during this season as we reflect on our savior's love and sacrifice.
“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.” —Ps 25:4–5 In our culture, rugged individualism is valued. We are to strive to be leaders, or, at minimum, coleaders; being a follower connotes a lack of agency. Yet our relationship with Christ differs from any other. We are his followers; how can we follow if he is not leading the way, through the Holy Spirit? It is a challenge to accept the idea of waiting on God before taking action, particularly when issues of justice are concerned. We want to make change on our own terms, come what may. After all, people are hurting now. Our responsibilities feel so urgent! Yet when we forget that we seek God’s will in all things, we can act hastily and potentially cause even more damage. Consider an action you are engaged in, in your life. Are you following Christ in this area of your life as well? How are you discerning where he ...
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what [s]he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” —Ephesians 2:8–10 This passage encapsulates how I understand the core of the good news of Jesus Christ. Notice that there are no restrictions on who God’s grace is for. All the barriers that exist between us and Jesus’ saving love are based on limited human thinking—whether our own, or in the minds who want to “protect” the gospel from those they fear are not worthy of it. But underneath all of that fear, doubt, contempt, feelings of self-loathing or unworthiness, or any other conceivable restriction, is the Christ of love, seeking intimate partnership in our lives. I grew up in a church where I did not see the love of Christ reflected. There were many who we were told were not fit for the kingdom o...
Comments
Post a Comment