Lent devotional

Nothing is Impossible

Posted on by Betsy

Name a task or goal that you feel is completely impossible. For me, running a full Marathon, opening a pickle jar, and understanding how we got to where we are in our country today are things on my “impossible list.” Try as I might, I will never achieve these goals, but fortunately, my life does not depend on any of them coming to fruition.

Our lectionary passage today offers a beautiful word of hope about the impossible. It may seem strange to land at the beginning of the nativity narrative in Luke when we are smack in the middle of Lent but bear with me. This week we will celebrate the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel came to a young virgin named Mary to announce the good news that she would bear the messiah.

Luke 1 (Common English Bible)

26 When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, 27 to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” 29 She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. 31 Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. 33 He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.”

We learn three things about Mary in what Gabriel said to her. First, she was highly favored by God. Second, the Lord was with her. Third, she was blessed. Do you know that Scripture assures the same of us? Ephesians 1:6 reminds us that we, too, are favored by God. Jesus’ last words as recorded in Matthew 28:20 tell us that God is with us always. And according to Ephesians 1:3, we too are blessed. I think this indicates that like Mary, we can experience the power of God when he calls us to do the hard and even impossible things.

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?”

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son. 36 Look, even in her old age, your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. 37 Nothing is impossible for God.”

The word “overshadow” in verse 35 translates to “to cover with a cloud.” We are immediately taken back to our Old Testament history of the Shekinah, which was the visible sign of the manifestation of God’s glory and presence. (See Exodus 16:10.) And the message is clear: No word of God shall be powerless … no thing attempted or needing to be done is impossible for God.

38 Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Mary’s servant-response should be ours as well. Let it be with us just as you have said. We trust in you, Lord!

Bring it on.

Overshadowed in Glory

Second Chance

Posted on by Betsy

Being a pastor for several decades has allowed me to be present with people in the holy time of their death. I have been given the privilege of ministering to families during these moments, and I truly feel God’s spirit there. I was once interviewed by a troop of Girl Scouts who asked me about my favorite aspect of pastoring, and they were very surprised when I responded that “ministry with the dying” was where I felt closest to God. They asked me if it was easier after someone had been sick for a long time or when it happened all of a sudden, and there really is no answer for that. But when we experience the sudden death of a loved one, the shock and incomprehensible nature of what has occurred can leave us disoriented, in denial, and unable to move forward for a very long time. A factor in that disorientation can be the loved one’s lack of preparation for their death, making it a sticky tar pit of overwhelming red tape, paperwork, and details that are almost impossible to wade through. This bodes the question of us today: Are you prepared? What will happen to your loved ones if you were to die tomorrow?

Today’s lectionary reading begins with a startling description of two types of “sudden death.” One occurred by the evil hand of Pilate when he slaughtered Galilean jews who were on their way to bring their sacrifices to the temple in Jerusalem. The second involved the sudden death of innocent bystanders when the tower of Siloam fell on them. Jesus responded to his questioners by pointing out that both cases sound a warning blast about our need to change our hearts and lives immediately. He reasoned that anyone might die in the same state of unreadiness, so repentance is the only way to be prepared.

Luke 13 (Common English Bible)

13 Some who were present on that occasion told Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices.2 He replied, “Do you think the suffering of these Galileans proves that they were more sinful than all the other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you will die just as they did. 4 What about those eighteen people who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think that they were more guilty of wrongdoing than everyone else who lives in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you will die just as they did.”

There was a pervasive thought at the time that suffering and death were a punishment for sinful behavior, while those who were good received only blessings and long life. Jesus assured them that this is not the case, and they must all turn away and choose real change in their lives by offering God true repentance.

Jesus uses two Greek words for repentance in this passage. In verse 3 he speaks of the need for “continuing” repentance and in verse 5 he refers to the need for a “once and for all” repentance. His point was that we may all die at sometime without warning, so repentance must be our first priority.

6 Jesus told this parable: “A man owned a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 He said to his gardener, ‘Look, I’ve come looking for fruit on this fig tree for the past three years, and I’ve never found any. Cut it down! Why should it continue depleting the soil’s nutrients?’ 8 The gardener responded, ‘Lord, give it one more year, and I will dig around it and give it fertilizer. 9 Maybe it will produce fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.’”

The parable that he tells after this offers them an invitation to be truly ready to die. Like the fig tree, many of them (and us) have failed to bear God’s fruit. God always comes looking for fruit!

Galatians 5 (Common English Bible)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.

God-as-Gardner is patient and comes every year to help the tree grow. He waters it with his word and fertilizes it with his spirit. He offers a second chance. But God-as-Vineyard Owner has a limit: At some point, no more chances will come. Look at the list again. Are you bearing God’s fruit in your life? What needs to change?

The lesson here? Sudden death doesn’t get a second chance. Don’t delay your repentance. It is time to turn around and turn your life over to God.

Don’t Delay by Michelle Robertson

Listen, Look, and Seek

Posted on by Betsy

I get ridiculously excited when I spot my first osprey returning to the Outer Banks after the long winter away. Ospreys are coastal raptors who dive into water to catch fish. They are creatures of habit who return to the same large, stick-nest year after year. My community has erected several tall nest platforms along our waters, and each spring we enjoy watching them return to have their babies. As soon as I spot daffodils popping up in my neighbor’s yards, I begin to listen for their delightful chirps and whistles. I train my eyes upward on my walks to spot their arrival. It is a rite of passage for me to see my first osprey every year, and I tear up every time it happens. The picture below was taken last week at such a first-sighting, when this magnificent fellow swooped down over my head in observant circles before landing on his high perch at the marina. You can see the large stick he carried in his talons for building his nest. Welcome home, dear fellow! I have been waiting and watching for you.

Our beautiful lectionary passage from Isaiah today invites us to come to the water to drink and eat of God’s goodness. Watch for the repetition of the words listen, look, and seek.

Isaiah 55 (Common English Bible)

 All of you who are thirsty, come to the water!
Whoever has no money, come, buy food and eat!
Without money, at no cost, buy wine and milk!
2 Why spend money for what isn’t food,
    and your earnings for what doesn’t satisfy?

Listen carefully to me and eat what is good;
    enjoy the richest of feasts.
3 Listen and come to me;
    listen, and you will live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
    my faithful loyalty to David.

We are invited to come and receive God’s blessing of being richly spiritually fed. But if we aren’t thirsty for what God can give us, we will never come. What are you thirsty for? Is it poured out by the Holy Spirit or found in the marketplace of the world? God’s wine, milk, and food are offered at no cost. What price are you paying for the things you consume that are not of God? When we fill ourselves of the empty calories of gossip, anger, hatred, evil, and greed, we starve ourselves of the sustenance that matters.

4 Look, I made him a witness to the peoples,
    a prince and commander of peoples.
5 Look, you will call a nation you don’t know,
    a nation you don’t know will run to you
    because of the Lord your God,
    the holy one of Israel, who has glorified you.

Look up and see what God is doing. The covenant he made with the shepherd boy David is fulfilled in the Good Shepherd Jesus. Isaiah invites us to seek the Lord in an attitude of worship and repentance. God is generous with forgiveness: We can come to his waters and be cleansed.

6 Seek the Lord when he can still be found;
    call him while he is yet near.
7 Let the wicked abandon their ways
    and the sinful their schemes.
Let them return to the Lord so that he may have mercy on them,
    to our God, because he is generous with forgiveness.

This last part is a humbling reminder that God’s thoughts, plans, and ways are not the same as ours. We falter and fall when we assume than they are. Instead, we are reminded to bow down to our God who knows way better than we do about what is actually good for us.

8 My plans aren’t your plans,
nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways,
    and my plans than your plans.

We are invited this Lent to return to the Lord like the ospreys return to the safety and sure provision of their nests. May we listen, look, and seek God in everything we do.

Welcome Home

Party Hats

Posted on by Betsy

A year ago my husband and I scheduled a trip that fell on my dog’s birthday. Not that she knew, mind you, as she can’t read a calendar, but I felt a little sad when I realized that we wouldn’t be home to wish her a happy 15th birthday. Fifteen is a big number for a large purebred dog who tips the scales at 100 pounds, so it is certainly a milestone to celebrate. When she was a puppy, the vet told us that her life expectancy was eight to twelve years, so we know we are living on blessed time.

Her dog sitter Teresa is her best friend. She brings Georgia’s second best friend when she comes to take care of her. He is a little mixed breed named Teddy, and he weighs about five pounds. I am always worried that Georgia will inadvertently sit on him, but so far they have managed a wonderful Mutt and Jeff friendship. Teresa has known Georgia all her life and was happy to learn that she would be staying in the house over Georgia’s birthday.

Imagine my surprise and delight when I began to receive birthday party pictures on the night of her birthday. But it was not just any celebration: It was a full-blown party with all my neighborhood crowded around my dining room table wearing festive party hats and holding up birthday banners. The table itself was laden with birthday cake, snacks, colorful plates, matching napkins, cards, and presents. Georgia and Teddy were given special cupcake-shaped dog biscuits and a grand time was had by all. Teddy didn’t want his, so Georgia got two. I laughed myself silly as each picture revealed more and more of the celebration. I truly have the best neighbors, don’t I? And God has blessed me with the best friend and dog sitter that a girl could ask for. And no, you can’t have her phone number.

Today’s psalm is a celebration of joy. David was in Judah and reflected on the goodness and provision of God. You may be surprised to see that I am using The Message translation this morning, which I do not usually do for the Psalms. But my browser was open to The Message, and somehow the phrases “prime rib and gravy” and “free to run and play” made me think that if Georgia could write a psalm, this is what it would sound like.

Psalm 63 (The Message)

God—you’re my God!
    I can’t get enough of you!
I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
    traveling across dry and weary deserts.

2-4 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
    drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
    My lips brim praises like fountains.
I bless you every time I take a breath;
    My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

5-8 I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy;
    I smack my lips. It’s time to shout praises!
If I’m sleepless at midnight,
    I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
Because you’ve always stood up for me,
    I’m free to run and play.
I hold on to you for dear life,
    and you hold me steady as a post.

We’re mid-way through Lent and today is a good day to pause and count our blessings. I definitely count my dog sitter and neighbors as huge blessings in my life. What can you praise God for this morning? Can you bless him today? What praises would you offer, even in the midst of what you are going through?

Hold on to God for dear life and remember he holds you steady as a post. So take some time today to run and play!

Fit for a Queen by Teresa Holloway

God’s Mother-heart

Posted on by Betsy

I have always appreciated the (few) references in the Bible that depict the female qualities of God. I was made in God’s image, so when I see a passage that reflects my gender, I feel deeply connected with my Creator. Surely male images of God abound, so when an image of God’s mother-heart pop up, it delights me.

In today’s passage we see Jesus’ desire to be like a mother hen to her vulnerable children. Oh, how he longed to gather up his chicks and keep them safe under his wings! I love the feel of that. Surely we all would like to be part of his brood, huddling in the warmth and safety of his protection.

The brood at the time of this writing was in deep trouble. Luke records the events that happened toward the end of Jesus’ ministry when Herod was seeking to kill him. Jesus steadfastly kept to his father’s agenda of healing and demon-casting. He knew his time would come in Jerusalem, and not before then.

Luke 13 (The Message)

31 Just then some Pharisees came up and said, “Run for your life! Herod’s got your number. He’s out to kill you!”

32-35 Jesus said, “Tell that fox that I’ve no time for him right now. Today and tomorrow I’m busy clearing out the demons and healing the sick; the third day I’m wrapping things up. Besides, it’s not proper for a prophet to come to a bad end outside Jerusalem.

Then Jesus’ thoughts turned to his beloved city, the city of David built on a hill for all to see. He knew his ministry would end here, as it had for many of the prophets who preceded him in that great city. His crucifixion would result in great turmoil for the city and especially for his followers, and he desired to gather them up. But they refused to be gathered.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killer of prophets,
    abuser of the messengers of God!
How often I’ve longed to gather your children,
    gather your children like a hen,
Her brood safe under her wings—
    but you refused and turned away!
And now it’s too late: You won’t see me again
    until the day you say,
        ‘Blessed is he
        who comes in
        the name of God.’”

Just as Jesus longed to gather up the Jews, he longs to gather us up as well. He offers the protection and shelter of his wings and promises the mother-love that we need to thrive. Will you turn away, or come?

Safe by Michelle Robertson

Sanctuary

Posted on by Betsy

Where do you go when you don’t feel safe? For some, that place is home. I chatted with a friend the other day and she talked about people coming to her door unannounced. This is something that truly bothers her: Her home is her safe place, a fortress of comfort and security, and intrusions like someone knocking on the door are problematic for her. I feel exactly the same way.

For others, the sanctity of family, a deep friendship, or a happy marriage provide refuge in times of trouble. When you find yourself picking up your phone in stressful times to call or text, that person on the other end of the phone truly can be a bright light of salvation for you.

Every church has a special place called the “sanctuary” where worship is held, and God is encountered. Many of us know to flee to church when we feel we are under assault. From the root word sanctify, or holy place, sanctuaries over time became places of refuge and protection for persecuted people. Pardon my word nerdiness, but take a look at this excerpt from Etymology Online:

Since the time of Constantine and by medieval Church law, fugitives or debtors enjoyed immunity from arrest and ordinary operations of the law in certain churches, hence its use by mid-14. of churches or other holy places with a view to their inviolability. The transferred sense of “immunity from punishment by virtue of having taken refuge in a church or similar building” is by early 15c., also of the right to such. (Exceptions were made in England in cases of treason and sacrilege.)

The general (non-ecclesiastical) sense of “place of refuge or protection” is attested from 1560s; as “land set aside for wild plants or animals to breed and live” it is recorded by 1879 in reference to the American bison.

Even the bison have a place of sanctuary! So, too, have we.

Psalm 27 (Common English Bible)
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
        Should I fear anyone?
    The Lord is a fortress protecting my life.
        Should I be frightened of anything?
2 When evildoers come at me trying to eat me up—
    it’s they, my foes and my enemies,
    who stumble and fall!

All of us have some type of foe or enemy. David had entire nations of enemies rising up against Israel in war. Ours our probably more local: the neighbor who disrespects boundaries, the Facebook poster who disrespects your opinion, the ex-spouse who disrespects you in front of the kids, etc. But David reminds us to not be afraid because we can trust in the Lord and look forward to that time when we abide with him in his house where we will all get along. Heaven is our ultimate sanctuary. And do you know what won’t be part of heaven? Facebook.

3 If an army camps against me,
        my heart won’t be afraid.
    If war comes up against me,
        I will continue to trust in this:
4     I have asked one thing from the Lord—
    it’s all I seek:
        to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life,
        seeing the Lord’s beauty
        and constantly adoring his temple.
5 Because he will shelter me in his own dwelling
    during troubling times;
    he will hide me in a secret place in his own tent;
        he will set me up high, safe on a rock.

Are you fleeing from trouble? Do you feel unsafe? Is there a danger knocking on your door making you feel uneasy? You know where to go.

11 Lord, teach me your way;
    because of my opponents, lead me on a good path.
12 Don’t give me over to the desires of my enemies,
    because false witnesses and violent accusers
    have taken their stand against me.
13 But I have sure faith
    that I will experience the Lord’s goodness
    in the land of the living!

Lord, teach us your ways and lead us to a safe haven. Bring us to that place of your goodness in the land of the living! We shall not fear if you abide with us.

14 Hope in the Lord!
    Be strong! Let your heart take courage!
        Hope in the Lord!

Be strong.

Safe Place by Becca Ziegler

Observe Those

Posted on by Betsy

We continue our Lenten journey this week and we still have a long way to go. Easter falls on April 20th this year, so our time in this season is much more before us than behind us. But if we accept that Lent is a refuge from the world, we shouldn’t be eager for it to end too quickly.

I spoke at a prayer gathering last week and talked about a church matriarch named Betty Brown who influenced my discipleship walk immensely. She was a loving, giving, and warm example of a woman who was completely sold out to Christ. Her influence in the church ran deep, and her influence on me led me to become a pastor.

Our scripture today invites us to observe those who live according to the example of Paul’s discipleship team and people like Betty. Paul draws a large black line between true disciples and those who live as enemies of the cross:

Philippians 3 (New Revised Standard Version)

17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 

Are you surrounded by people who inspire your walk with God, or with people whose minds are set on earthly things? It can be a very, very difficult decision to create distance with those who are capable of leading you astray. Take a hard look at your circle of influence and see if there are some potentially dangerous relationships.

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation  that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. 4 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Paul advises to stand firm. He reminds us that we really don’t belong here anyway, as we are citizens of heaven where Jesus is the one and only king. Does that give you hope?

We are invited to become the people of influence who not only walk the righteous path but woo others to walk it with us. You, too, can be a Betty Brown in someone’s life. And Lord knows, we need more Bettys in this world.

Walk This Way by Kathy Schumacher

Full of It

Posted on by Betsy

To tell someone that they are “full of it” is not a kind thing. You are in essence saying that they are full of nonsense, consumed with poor thinking, outright lying, or in colloquial words, full of “bull stuff.” (You got scared there for a minute, didn’t you?) But there are times when being full of it can be a good thing. Being full of compassion, wisdom, and grace are things we aspire to as Christ followers.

Our lectionary passage today brings us to a familiar tale of the temptation of Jesus. This is a good lesson for this first week of Lent, as it sets our Lenten practices into motion. If you have decided to give something up for Lent or adopt a new spiritual discipline for the next 40 days, this passage will give you inspiration. Watch how Jesus deals with the devil’s temptations and be encouraged.

Luke 4 (Common English Bible)

4 Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. 2 There he was tempted for forty days by the devil. He ate nothing during those days and afterward Jesus was starving. 3 The devil said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”

4 Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread.”

If you have decided that your Lent practice includes a change of diet that emphasizes reducing your carb consumption, take heart! You don’t live only by bread!

5 Next the devil led him to a high place and showed him in a single instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 The devil said, “I will give you this whole domain and the glory of all these kingdoms. It’s been entrusted to me and I can give it to anyone I want.7 Therefore, if you will worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered, “It’s written, You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”

I hope that the thing you gave up is something you worshipped. That is the point. When you miss that thing, turn your thoughts to the Lord. He will help you depart from it for your own good.

9 The devil brought him into Jerusalem and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down from here; 10 for it’s written: He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you 11 and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.”

12 Jesus answered, “It’s been said, Don’t test the Lord your God.”13 After finishing every temptation, the devil departed from him until the next opportunity.

Jesus was able to resist Satan three times because he was full of it: Full of the Holy Spirit. Luke wants us to understand this, mentioning it twice in the first verse. Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and led by it. So, too, are you. So when you feel weak, turn your attention to the power of the Holy Spirit within you and ask for an increase. You will not be disappointed.

The Perfect Lent Dessert

Faster

Posted on by Betsy

Today is Ash Wednesday and many believers will commit to a form of fasting for the next 40 days of Lent. (Sundays, being the celebration of the Resurrection, are not counted in Lent.) Some might fast from food or drink. Some might fast from Social Media. Some might fast from behaviors or actions that are harmful and unproductive. Are you a Lent faster? What are you giving up this year?

Today’s lectionary passage is a fascinating look as what God desires in our fasts. The people were complaining that God did not honor or recognize their fasts. Here was God’s response. Read it through: I think you will be surprised.

Isaiah 58 (New Revised Standard Version)

Is not this the fast that I choose:
    to loose the bonds of injustice,
    to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
    and to break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
    and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them
    and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you;
    the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
    you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.”

Wowzers. All the chocolate/fast food/alcohol fasts have no place on this list. Are you surprised? I think God’s mandate is clear here. Surely that’s not to say that giving up a fixation isn’t valuable, good for you, or a proper response to the call to practice disciplined self-sacrifice. Those types of commitments have great value. But focusing on these things in addition to your usual Lent habits would surely honor the type of fast God desires.

If you remove the yoke from among you,
    the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
10 if you offer your food to the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
    and your gloom be like the noonday.

Acting decisively to remove the yoke of oppression and injustice. Feeding the hungry. Tending to the needs of the afflicted. Bringing the homeless poor into our homes. Clothing the naked. Stop pointing the blame finger at others. Ceasing evil talk, gossip, and hate speech. These are the things that would please the Lord this season.
11 The Lord will guide you continually
    and satisfy your needs in parched places
    and make your bones strong,
and you shall be like a watered garden,
    like a spring of water
    whose waters never fail.
12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
    you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
    the restorer of streets to live in.

May we have a holy Lent together and heed Isaiah’s words, making a real difference in our communities and our world for the next 40 days. Are you in?

Queen Anne’s Lace by Becca Ziegler

The Shelter of Lent

Posted on by Betsy

It’s that time of year again, folks, where we are invited to deepen our faith, expand our discipleship, increase our discipline, and enlarge our response to God’s will and God’s word. Yes, Lent is upon us. In two days many will gather to observe Ash Wednesday, the quiet, dark, formal beginning of the season. Lent is the 40 days of preparation for the Easter celebration, and we are invited to practice a Holy Lent by fasting, repenting, studying, examining, praying, worshipping, self-denying, sacrificing, and focusing our whole attention on becoming more faithful in our ways, words, and deeds.

There have been many years when the oncoming of Lent made me silently groan. It is an intentionally dark season, and it is intentionally hard. We do this in contemplation of Good Friday, when Jesus hung on the cross for our sins in an intentionally dark and hard moment. He did that for us. How can we turn away from the Lenten disciplines that are intentionally dark and hard so that we emerge on Easter stronger, better, and more committed?

As much as we groan, we must.

Today’s lectionary passage gave me pause. It signals our transition into Lent, and it offers a completely new idea: Lent is a shelter, a refuge, and a safe place.

Think about the previous Lent seasons. Did you benefit from that special Lent study? Did giving something up for 40 days bring clarity of mind? Did your prayer life grow? Did you emerge stronger?

I hope the answer is yes. But in the meantime, let us contemplate the safe and secure fortress that Lent can be if we give ourselves over to it completely.

Psalm 91 (New Revised Standard Version)

1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
    who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
    my God, in whom I trust.”

9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
    the Most High your dwelling place,
10 no evil shall befall you,
    no scourge come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
    so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
    the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

14 Those who love me, I will deliver;
    I will protect those who know my name.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them;
    I will be with them in trouble;
    I will rescue them and honor them.
16 With long life I will satisfy them
    and show them my salvation.

Focusing our attention on Lent will help us take our eyes off the troubles, trials, and temptations of the world. God dwells in Lent, and wherever God dwells, there is protection. May we enter joyfully, expectantly, and hopefully.

Shelter by Michelle Robertson