Lenten Reflections Week 4
Days 17,18,29,20,21,22
Monday is Day 23 of our Lenten Reflections. We’re definitely deep in the middle of our forty day commitment.
Generally, when something takes fortitude, I’m not a big fan of being in the middle. The novelty has worn off, and the end is still too far off. The middle is where your meddle gets tested. The middle is when you’re tempted to question the value of keeping on.
But… You knew a BUT was coming didn’t you?
The Middle is where the magic happens.
Use this “small commitment” to prove to yourself, you’ve got what it takes to be a finisher. Ultimately, it’s true, it’s not up to us… but we miss out on so much when we choose easy over what is best.
Don’t miss the value of the middle. Continue Showing up. Engage. Wrestle with the truths in Scripture. Tuck them in your heart.
What has the Lord taught you this week? Any surprise insight? Any fresh perspective of an old truth? Encouragement is one way we help one another stay the course. We’d love to hear from you.
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For His Glory, Debbie Hucke
The devotion on Corinthians, and even more so the linked article at the bottom brought tears to my eyes. Praise the Lord, I have this hope. It is what causes me to cry out on occasion, usually in joy but sometimes in sadness, take me home Jesus. When I say it I truly mean it . Not that I don’t love this life here on Earth but the hope I have in eternal life in Heaven Is So Much Greater. I love your quote of the CS Lewis. “reach for heaven and you will get Earth thrown in. Reach for Earth and you will get neither.” I try my best in tough times to remember that I must walk by faith, not by sight, as I reach for heaven. I have had the joy of sharing this devotion with my sister, for the second year now we do this together. She is still heavily into the workforce and totally stressed much of the time. She says these devotions have inspired her so much to “work on her inner self”. She admires you so much, Debbie and has stated over and over how much she likes your writing. I agree with her completely.
Amen Terri. I am so pleased to hear how you’ve used this content to build on your relationship with your sister. Hope is eternal. I can’t wait either.
What a good week of reflection and prayer, Debbie! It seems that each day’s scripture and your thoughts have spoken directly to me. As a planner and organizer (you would call me a control freak) I especially needed to hear Jeremiah’s word from God again about the potter’s wheel. God truly reveals only one step at a time. I think my impatience to find solutions reveals my lack of trust. But I am thankful that God never gives up on me and understands my struggles. Thank you, Debbie.????
Anne, Aww yes, another planner, organizer. Correction… I call myself a RECOVERING control freak. You too dear friend. God never gives up on molding us and making us.
Terri, I am also participating in Deb’s daily Lenten lessons. You shared my exact feelings. I also loved the C.S. Lewis quote, and have shared it with several. My church is offering a book study of C.S. Lewis. I hope to participate is it’s in person. I’m zoomed out!
Marilyn, I will pray this class can be in person for your sake. I too, am zoomed out! Hang in there. Keep your eye on the prize.
Hi Marilyn, this is Terri. If your church opens that study and it is partially in Zoom would you mind passing it on to me? My email is tjrrosa.44@ gmail.com. blessings to you as all of us continue to walk by faith and not by sight.
Debbie, thank you for your effort in facilitating this Lenten study
Thank you Bill! I’m delighted you find them beneficial. Debbie
The reflection that hit home this week was, “God’s message of inexplicable hope is often most powerfully expressed by those whose struggle has been turned into purpose.” I think that’s really what we’re all called to do.
Oh Ruthie, Thank you for zero-ing in on this statement. Because I AM COUNTING ON IT. And I agree with you.
I was so touched by what you shared about your son’s condition and how upfront you are about your feelings. I was born healthy but adopted into an abusive home and out on my own at 13. For so long, I was angry at God, and Psalm 139:13-14 was often a road bump for me. I believed that God knitted me and saw me long before I was able to trust Him. It seemed very unfair, especially when I’d hear so many fairytale stories about wonderful adoption situations. But God brought me out of that stuck place – the middle. I still have trust issues but I migrate more toward Him than away from Him. He’s saved me from myself and reassured me that He can handle my questions, anger, and distrust. He’s big enough to cover all of that and more, and He loved me into a relationship with Him when no other approach would have worked. Praise Him! Thank you again for doing this and for how openly you share your heart.
Wow Peggy, And thank YOU for your courage to share some of your journey. May He continue to use your story for His glory. Thank you Peggy.
Yesterday’s verse from Habakkuk 3:17-18 really spoke to me. I heard it at the GET REAL
CONFERENCE yesterday and then I came home and read the lenten devotional you had posted.
I guess God wanted to impress that verse on my heart and mind: to praise Him no matter how I feel or what my circumstances are at the moment. I am praying that there will be something opening up soon for Ian where he can use his art and education for God’s glory. I wonder if there will be summer day camps that could use him to teach art to kids?
That’s known as the two by four approach. When God really wants you to know something. 🙂 Thanks for your prayers. I keep looking for exactly what you suggest. Debbie