Dear God, I went with my wife last night to a presentation of “God’s Megaphone: A Visit with C.S. Lewis” by Steven Fenley at our local community theater. It was terrific and inspired me to get back into some of Mr. Lewis’s writings and also some of my own projects that are related to his work.
Of course, it started with The Problem of Pain, which Lewis called God’s megaphone to us. Then it went from there touching on a number of his works including The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, and others. I’m so glad I went. Thank you for last night.
Now, as far as today goes, I am delighted to be here continue my Lenten journey using Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer. Okay. You know that isn’t true. I’m not really delighted. It’s Saturday morning, and I’m feeling a little slothful. I’d love to kick back, make myself a big breakfast, and then watch some YouTube videos or find another way to just disengage my mind and “veg out.” But I know I need you. I know I need this. I’ve made this commitment to do this before I do anything else to start my day, so here I am. I know I need you. I know I need to worship you. I know it’s for my good. And it has been for my good over these previous 24 days. So I embrace it now, and, even as I finish typing this paragraph, am finding myself ready to connect with the Holy Spirit within me and spend some time with you.
- AM Psalms: 87, 90
- PM Psalm: 136
- Jeremiah 13:1-11
- John 8:47-59
- Romans 6:12-23
Psalms 87, 90 – “I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me–Philisita too, and Tyre, along with Cush–and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion'” Yes, Father, thanks to you, I am born in Zion. I was listening to Mr. Fenley’s C.S. Lewis presentation I mentioned earlier last night, and he mentioned there are all of these little references wrapped throughout the Old Testament referring to the idea that one day your Kingdom will be for the Gentiles too. And then I get this passage from Psalm 87 this morning. Yes, through Jesus, I was born in Zion as well. Thank you! And I have to mention Psalm 90 since it is a psalm of Moses and mentions how fleeting our lives are. Moses gave up a comfortable life twice for the people of Israel. Once when he was 40 when he made a mistake but for the right reason and once when he was 80 and he responded to your call. His days were not easy, but you used him. Use me, Father, however you will.
Psalm 136 – What strikes me about this is the record of everything you have done to bless Israel. The recounting of your glory and provision. I need to do this more. I need to reflect more on everything you have done for me. Your love endures forever.
Jeremiah 13:1-11 – I have two thoughts about this story. One, you gave Jeremiah these instructions one at a time. He was ignorant of the next step until you told him what the next step was. His task was to just be obedient in the next thing you were telling him to do regardless of why or how much he understood. The second is the obvious. You were there with the Israelites. It’s obvious you hadn’t left because you were still there talking to Jeremiah and giving him to them as a prophet, but you were useless to them because their lives and decisions had made you useless. Oh, help me to not render you useless in my life.
John 8:47-59 – Following up on the passage from Jeremiah, this line from Jesus strikes me: “My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him.” At this point in their lives, you were among them and with them, but you were useless to them because they could not see you and did not know you. Oh, Father, help me to know you as much as is humanly possible.
Romans 6:12-23 – This passages brings it all home for my Lenten journey. I am only able to be here this morning because of what Jesus did. I am here because you sent a piece of your nature here to earth to live as fully man and fully God, teach me, die, and the come back to life. And to go back to Lewis, I cannot believe that the resurrection didn’t happen without discounting the entire Jesus story. He was either liar, lunatic, or Lord. Jesus, you are Lord.
Father, I thank you. I worship you. I submit myself to you. Make me salt in your world. Make me a source of love in your world. Oh, Lord, show me what to do one step at a time. Keep me ignorant if my knowledge and human wisdom will get in your way.
I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,p
Amen
Emails to God 