During this time in Lent, I have been encouraging you to take extra time in your devotional life. During Lent I have expanded my devotional time and I thought it might be good to share a devotion that I read and meditated upon recently that talks about the journey we have begun during Lent. It comes from a devotional called “Forty Daily Prayers” and I want to share about devotion with you because I think it speaks to what the journey has been like so far for me in Lent. It has helped me recognize where I am and where our spiritual journey can take us as we approach Holy Week and the celebration of Easter Sunday.
The Spiritual Journey
Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory be to the Master, now and forever! Yes! 2 Peter 3:18 (From The Message).
The journey toward spiritual maturity lasts a lifetime: as Christians, we can and should continue to grow in love and knowledge of our Savior as long as we live. When we cease to grow, either emotionally or spiritually, we do ourselves and our loved ones a profound disservice. But, if we study God’s word, if we obey His commands, and if we live in the center of His will, we will not be a “stagnant” believer; we will, instead, be growing followers of Jesus Christ and that is exactly what God wants for our lives.
Some of life’s most important lessons are painful to learn. During times of heartbreak and hardship, God stands ready to protect us. As Psalm 147 promises, “He heals the broken hearted and bandages their wounds.” In God’s own time and according to God’s grand plan, God will heal us if we invite him into our hearts.
Spiritual growth need not take place only in times of adversity. We should seek to grow in our relationship with the Lord through every season of our lives and a wonderful time to start or reconnect is during Lent. It is through the happy times and yes, the challenging times, through times of celebration and times of pain that if we are committed in our devotional time, in meditation and in prayer we continue to grow as we step out on our spiritual journey.
It is in those quiet moments of devotion, reflection, and prayer when we open our hearts to God, the one who makes us keeps remaking us. God through the power of the Holy Spirit gives us direction, perspective, wisdom, and courage. And of course, the appropriate moment to accept those spiritual gifts is always the present time.
I would like you to think upon a special quote that goes along with this meditation: “There is wonderful freedom and joy in coming to recognize that the fun is in the becoming” says Gloria Gaither.
From Colossians 1:9, “For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we have not stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”
Let us pray: Dear Lord, the Bible tells me that you are at work in my life, continue to help me grow and to mature in my faith. Be with me on my journey this Lenten Season. Show me your wisdom, Father, and let me live according to Your will and Your Word. Amen.
Pastor Gary
Claybanks United Methodist Church 