Daily Devotion: See

Read: Jeremiah 1:11-19

Reflection Questions: If God were to ask you, “What do you see?” What would you say? How would your answer impact your actions?

Prayer: God of visions, you ask me, “What do you see?” And in this moment, I’m not sure how close I’ve been looking. There is so much suffering in the world. It’s easy to turn away. It’s tempting to curate our lives to see what we want to see. Open my eyes to truthfully and honestly see what you see. Amen.

 —Prayer by Rev. Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org

Clergy Reflection: Our Lenten Journey

By: Rev. Jim Long

Lent is the season of preparation for Easter. It traditionally is a time of self-denial and introspection. We wear purple stoles in worship, giving way to white on Easter Sunday. White is the symbol of the Resurrection. Often we wish to jump past the time of preparation, right into the joy of Easter. We do not want to face the betrayal and anguish of Maundy Thursday, the pain and suffering of Good Friday, and the silence of the tomb on Holy Saturday. Lent reminds us that life brings its share of joys and sorrows. It brings us dashed hopes and dreams, and yet ultimate fulfillment of our deepest hope. Our hope is in a loving God who loves each of us as if there were only one of us to love.

Perhaps this year we can walk this journey more open to God’s presence and guidance. We already know what it is to give up things we love. We already know fear and anxiety about the future. We already know how vulnerable we are to things beyond our control. And yet, in faith we claim that we are wonderfully made with all that we need to face what confronts us. In faith, we know that the Lenten Journey ends in joy and hope for the future. We know God is present with us in all things, in all times, and in all circumstances. We know God is with us because Jesus came to be with us and share the burdens and possibilities of life.

My prayer for all of us is that we may grow through this experience and see more fully the possibilities God has for us as individuals and as a community of faith. My hope is that the church will come through Lent and know the joy that comes not just on Easter Sunday, but in the Easter season. May we renew our commitment to God’s mission of love on this Earth. May we become more fully the people God created us to be. Amen.