Matthew 25:40 “And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’”

I get so wrapped up in my world that I lose sight of the world around me.

I was awake very early this morning and trying to go back to sleep but worries were keeping me awake.  I was thinking about all the things I need to accomplish on top of my normal daily duties.  I was worrying about upcoming medical tests for my daughter and how those fill her with overwhelming anxiety.  I was thinking about...

The list could go on and on.  When I am thinking about my world I am not thinking of the world around me.  When I am not thinking of the world around me I am not able to serve the world around me either.  This passage in Matthew reminds me there are bigger needs in the world than mine and my family’s.  I need to step out of myself and open my eyes to see the needs of others again.

As we walk this journey of Lent, let us each take a few moments to search our hearts deeply.  Look for the place God has created in us to serve others.  As I begin a new day, I begin with new vision, sight from the Lord to see the world around me and a renewed call to serve the least of these.

Lord,

Forgive my shortsightedness for creeping back in and drawing my attention away from you and your light.  Help me release the small worries of my world to you so that I am able to embrace the people of your world and serve the people you bring to me to serve.    Let me be your light in word and deed today.  Amen.

Daniel 6:3 “Soon Daniel distinguished himself above all the other presidents and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king planned to appoint him over the whole kingdom.”

Have you heard of a teacher’s pet?

I am not talking about the guinea pig that the kids help take care of or the frogs that reside waiting for further examination.  I mean the student that stands out as the favorite, the one who seems to know all the answers and gets special attention from the teacher because they excel. 

When I read this passage of Daniel, I could easily see how Daniel might be viewed as the “teacher’s pet”.  This exiled Jew comes in and begins making a name for himself in the king’s palace.  He quickly moves up the ranks and before we know it he is being considered as ruler over the whole kingdom.

I never plotted to ruin the favorite students but I know I wished for that special attention.  It feels good to be acknowledged and to feel special.  These men were jealous of the attention Daniel received so they plotted against him.  In the end Daniel is redeemed and the conspirators are given the punishment they dreamed up for Daniel.  Whether you are distinguished among peers or not so much, let us all remember that God puts people in place for his purpose and we can trust in him to do what is right.

Lord,

Give us sight to see what our purpose is in the place you have us right now.  Keep our eyes and hearts focused on you and not on the doings of others in the world around us.  You give us all the praise and accolades we need so help our works be for your purpose and glory so we work to please only you.  No human reward can compare with the rewards you give us.  Amen.

Luke 8:11,15 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God...but as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in a honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.”

If you live in Colorado with me we are not quite ready to begin planting gardens.

This parable of seeds being sown in different soils is one of my favorite.  It reminds me that we each have some of the different kinds of soil in us.  The hardened path does not accept any seed and the birds come and eat it.  The rocky soil accepts the seed but does not have moisture so the seeds wither and die.  The thorny soil accepts the seed but eventually the weeds choke out the seedlings that were growing and again there is no fruit to be had.

We have hardened parts of our hearts; we have rocks and thorns as well.  The good news is that we have good soil and a master gardener waiting to till and nurture the rest of the soil to make it good for receiving and growing seeds.

As we reflect on our hearts during this season of Lent, let us each take time to review what kinds of soil we have within us.  Take time to ask the Lord, the master gardener, to till the soil and make it good soil so we can be fruitful in this day.

Lord,

Thank you for sunshine and rain, thank you for snow and wind and thank you that spring is just around the corner.  Help us search our hearts for hardness, for rocks and for weeds.  Prepare us as good soil so that when we receive the seeds of your holy word that we hold it fast in our good hearts and bear fruit as you call us to.  Amen.

Psalm 91:11-12 “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.  On their hands they will bear you up so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”

Have you ever seen an angel?

Before we answer this question we must ask ourselves what an angel might look like.  There are numerous accounts in the bible of angel visitations.  Sometimes they come in all the glory of the Lord, shining like the sun and instilling fear and trepidation in the humans they encounter.  Sometimes they appear as a man; another human being bringing comfort or attending some other need.

You can read books and accounts online of angel visitations that happen in today’s world too.  There is no shortage of stories sharing accounts of angels bearing people up or guarding their ways.  Have you seen an angel?

When we dwell with the Most High we abide in him and him in us and his angels are among us.  We may never notice them but they are truly here.  They may come as a another person assisting, comforting, healing... they may come in all the glory of the Lord instilling fear and trepidation in our hearts but they come because the Lord God commands his angels concerning us, his beloved children.  Amazing!

Lord,

How often have you sent angels to protect and guide me as I wander blindly down a path of destruction?  How many times have your angels protected me as I strove to do your work in this world?  I thank you today for your love and protection.  I thank you for guarding and guiding each of us on our ways.  Help us be a blessing, bringing honor to your kingdom today.  Amen.

1 Timothy 3:16 “Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.”

Do you ever wonder how you got where you are?  Do you wonder where you are going from here?

I look back at my life so far and there is no logical explanation to my path or my journey.  Why do some people choose this path of religion and some do not?  Doesn't the mystery call to everyone?

Mysteries that cannot be solved are hard for people.  There are shows on TV that are about unsolved mysteries, detectives in police departments across the country and around the world work to solve mysteries every day.  We like closure and completion, we struggle with the unknown.

The mystery of God through Christ is beyond my comprehension.  When I start thinking about it with my head it confounds me, I get frustrated.  When I set aside my thinking and begin searching with my heart and soul, I find peace and assurance.

The mystery of God will not be solved in my lifetime or in the time of earth as we know it.  I am left with this and I share it with you:  We are loved by the one true God, creator and redeemer of all.  We are called to share this love with each other.  This is my religion.

Lord,

Do not let me be deceived, keep me clearly focused on your truth, your love, and your light.  Keep me from deceiving others and allow me to be a reflection of your love in this world.  Amen.

Deuteronomy 7:6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession.”

What is your most treasured possession?

Is it something you had longed for and after striving for it you finally hold it in your hands?  Is it a family heirloom, something that has been passed down from generation to generation and could never be replaced?  Is it not a thing but perhaps a person; not something you hold dearest but someone?

This verse was given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.  As I sit and bask in these words I try to imagine what that would feel like to hear these words from the mouth of Moses, knowing it came straight from the God of gods.  As I sit and bask in these words I remember that because of Christ, you and I can claim these words as well.

Can you picture God holding his most treasured possessions in his hands?  Just as we would be with ours he is tender and careful with his treasures, he does not want to damage or break them, for we are irreplaceable.    He caresses and gazes on and adores each of us, we are his treasures. 

Go into this day knowing this:  You are holy to the Lord your God; the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession.  Allow this statement to seep into your deepest soul and feel his gentle embrace of love as you go through your day.

Lord,

I am humbled and honored to be a treasure to you.  I come on bended knee to be cleansed and received, to be made holy in your sight once more.  Remind me that I am a holy treasure to you; remind me that every person you created is a holy treasure to you.  Guide me to treat others as preciously as you do.  Amen.

Ephesians 4:4-5 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

Does all really mean all?

When I think of a body, mine in particular, are there parts of my body that are unhappy about each other?  My eyes see other parts of my body and the condemnation begins.  I won’t go into details but there is always room for improvement and my eyes are the window for the brain to judge through.  My body works together as one unit but each part has its purpose.

What if we could look at the people in God’s creation in this light?  We are all of God, created by his hand and for his purpose.  Another part of the body may not be working the way we think it should but are we the ones who created it?  Are we the one who designed that part for a specific purpose?  Who are we to know what purpose and call that part has from the God and Father of all?

When Paul wrote this letter did he mean to only include Christians in the body?  Did he exclude the people who did not follow the gospel truth?  If parts of the body do not work as they were designed do we cut them off or seek healing and restoration for them?  Just a thought...

Lord,

Remove the blinders from my eyes so I am able to see clearly, as you designed me to see.  Let me see other through your one Spirit and seek a bond of peace with all.  We are all yours; you are above us, through us and in us.  Help us see you in each other beyond anything else we see.  Amen.