The worst thing is never the last
thing.
Monday, March 25th
Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Reflection: Paul speaks of being in
every kind of suffering, and yet still carrying on. How is it
possible that we can be afflicted but not crushed, perplexed but not
driven to despair when it feels like these things have the last word?
Think about all that Christ went through—people conspiring against
him, being rejected and chased out of town, being arrested, mocked,
crucified, and dying the death of a prisoner. We don't often face
these things in our lives, but we certainly face endings. What can
come after the terminal diagnosis? What can come after the death of a
child, parent, or spouse? Are we not part of Christ's journey because
of our baptism? Perhaps the key to understanding what comes after
devastation for us is remembering what came after Christ's suffering
and death...
Take time to reflect, meditate, or
pray in silence.
Prayer: God, your power is greater than
my understanding, and your imagination is unlimited. Open my eyes to
see that even death is not final for you. Give me faith to
understanding what comes next for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Tuesday, March 26th
Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Reflection: What are the properties of
a clay jar? It is usually something carefully crafted by a potter,
beautiful, but also functional. It is used to carry water or keep
grain. If it is no longer water-fast, it can be used to store cloth,
skeins of yarn, or it can simply be used to brighten up a room with
its artistry. You are a clay jar. Reflect on your properties. What
has defined you up until now? Maybe career, family, or something
you're not proud of. What is your purpose today? What might your
purpose be tomorrow, next week, or in a year? What has God crafted
you to do and be, and what kinds of things are you holding inside
you? We all bear the death of Christ inside us, but do you recognize
the ways in which you are also bearing his resurrection?
Take time to reflect, meditate, or
pray in silence.
Prayer: God who crafted the mountains,
the sky, and me, you have told me that your purpose for me is life,
but I often only feel tragedy, loss, and grief. The bad things so
often overwhelm the joy you give me. Teach me that I am a vessel
designed to carry life rather than death, and abundant joy rather
than pain. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Wednesday, March 27th
Reading: 1 Peter 2:9-12
Reflection: When you think of your
membership in a club, family, or workplace what does it entail?
Usually it's not just a plaque or something to put on your resume; it
doesn't simply mean you belong somewhere—it means that you are part
of an organization which stands for something and does something. Out
of all the planets and solar systems and stars and universes that
exist, you have been elected as part of a chosen people. What does it
mean to be a part of God's people? What do we know about the
character of God? We know that God is creative, powerful, loving, and
beyond our ability to fully comprehend. What does membership in God's
family call and empower you to do and be which is contrary to what
the powers of death would have us do and be?
Take time to reflect, meditate, or
pray in silence.
Prayer: Heavenly Lord, I know that I'm
not called to death, but to life, and to sow life in the midst of all
the decay that this world has to offer. The best defense against the
darkness is light. Guide me to know how to light up the world with
you, so that even the darkest nights reflect your brightness. In
Jesus' name. Amen.
Thursday, March 28th
Reading: 1 Peter 2:9-12
Reflection: Have you ever been given a
surprising gift totally out of the blue? Maybe your child drew you a
picture, or your spouse got you a little token of their love. Even if
you were having an absolutely rotten day, a simple expression of
someone's love for you can be enough to make it feel much better.
God's love is like a totally unexpected, wonderful gift that
brightens your day, but unlike these small gifts from our loved ones,
God's gift is one which continuously speaks love in the midst of
disengagement or alienation, and speaks joy in the midst of sorrow
and sadness. It is a transformative gift, that actively changes what
was to what will be. What does it mean to have this gift which
continually gives? What changes have you seen, and what kinds of
transformations can you expect as you constantly receive God's free
gift of grace?
Take time to reflect, meditate, or
pray in silence.
Prayer: God, you give me grace upon
grace upon grace so that even when I'm in big trouble you are
constantly overflowing with a word of truth that tells me that the
bad things won't last, and I am and will be new. Show me what to do
with my new life so I can live in gratitude to this gift!
Friday, March 29th
Reading: Revelation 22:1-5
Reflection: Time isn't confined to a
linear realm with God the way it is for us. The beautiful imagery
described in the book of Revelation demonstrates for us one possible
vision of what future exists because of Christ, but this grand vision
of a new heaven and a new earth begins with our lives today. Where
has God's shining river of life cleansed you of pain or sinfulness?
What kind of fruit do you now bear that in your younger days you
couldn't bear? What kind of love have you given that you didn't know
you were capable of giving? What kind of daylight has replaced a dark
night? God is the river flowing through your past and cleansing and
forgiving all your failures. God is the nourishment which causes your
barrenness to become fruit of the spirit—peace, patience, kindness,
love, joy, and gentleness. God is the lamp which shines through you
when you serve others, and which shines through others to illuminate
your darkness. God offers a promise for a new future, but for God
whose time has no meaning, the future is present, and you are alive
each day because of it.
Take time to reflect, meditate, or
pray in silence.
Prayer: Dear God, you are my light and
my all. You are the gentle river which washed me in baptism. You are
a word of promise spoken in the face of uncertainty. And most
importantly, you are present with me now. Reveal the ways that you
are working in me, and give me a spirit of gratitude to live as a new
creation in the joy that is possible because you loved me in all
times, past, present, and future. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Saturday, March 30th
Reading: Revelation 22:1-5
Reflection: Faith and trust can never
entirely banish fear. There will always be worries about life and
fear of pain and loss and death, but what we can trust is that the
worst thing is never the last thing with Jesus. Who we are as a
resurrection people is a people who believes that love is stronger
than death, God is for us, and ultimately, God gets what God
wants—and that is for you to be a new creature, leaving behind your
old self and the old world of death and decay for the new world of
joy and life. The best solution to driving out fear is living out
love! How will you live in love today? On what will you dwell?
Perfect love drives out fear—who is the source of such perfect
love? In whom will you place your trust?
Take time to reflect, meditate, or
pray in silence.
Prayer: Risen Lord, I love you so much
and I know you love me so much more. Help me to put my trust in your
promises, to dwell on what you have done for me so that the whispers
of fear will be drowned out by the chorus of faith which you give me.
Show me how to contribute to that chorus, so that through loving
others, I may reveal your kingdom to them the same way that you have
been revealed to me. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of
my heart be always on you and what you have done for me. In Jesus'
name. Amen.
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