Lenten Devotional Day 1
Although this summer my devotional, Spur, will be fifteen years old, and I have used all kinds of themes and written all kinds of series, this is the first time I have ever written for Lent. I was raised Baptist. We did not observe Lent in any way. In fact, the word itself to me has an odd connotation. I remember watching The Today Show one time as just a little girl before school with my grandmother. They were in New Orleans covering Mardi Gras. I had no idea how, but that party and those floats were somehow connected to Lent. However, in the last couple decades I have grown an appreciation for the church calendar — for the rhythm of intentionally remembering, of anticipating, the most holy observances. I am looking forward to writing every day except Sundays (which should always be feast days celebrating the Resurrection) until Easter. My hope and prayer is that it will be a time of reflection for me as a writer and you as a reader throughout the next 40 posts. The overarching aim will be to meditate on the cost of our redemption and the depth of our Savior’s love. Thank you for subscribing and reading.
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Day One
Addiction recovery programs begin with the premise that the first step is admitting you have a problem. Similarly, maybe a good first step to begin the Lenten season is to admit we have a problem. The problem is we cannot save ourselves. We are incapable of living righteously on earth (Romans 3:23), and we are incapable of earning our way to heaven (John 3:16). We need a Savior. In fact, the Bible says that we can do nothing apart from Christ (John 15:5). It is by His grace that we take another breath, that we live another day.
Elisabeth Elliot’s father was a bird watcher before bird watching was cool. He devoted lots of time to learning the calls and sounds of various birds and imitating them. As an amateur ornithologist, he gave numerous lectures and usually closed with this little poem.1
Said the Robin to the Sparrow,
“I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.”
Said the Sparrow to the Robin,
“Friend, I think that it must be
That they have no Heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me.”
As you see the birds chirping and flying about this spring, maybe consider this simple poem. Are you like the chatty little birds trusting the loving care of our Heavenly Father? Or are you anxiously rushing and worrying about?
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7
Digging Deeper:
In what ways are you attempting to save yourself?
Does it help your anxious worrying to spend time outside reflecting on the glory of creation?
Elisabeth Elliot, Joyful Surrender: 7 Disciplines for the Believer’s Life (Revell 1982), p. 10-11.