Lent 2024 | Day 40

By Janet Nygren
Day 40 (Saturday, Mar 29)

As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-center my scattered senses upon the presence of God.¹

Pause and pray.

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
(Romans 8:16-21)

Think about it.

Today is the last day of Lent, and the final day of this study. As we look ahead to celebrating Easter, let’s participate in one more resurrection hunt in Scripture. Paul reassures us that the Spirit himself testifies to our participation in a J-curve. When we share in the sufferings of Christ, we will also share in his glory. In fact our sufferings will not be worth comparing to the glory! But not only that–creation itself is in a Suffering J-curve. Imagine creation being liberated from the bondage of decay! No more death, disease, brokenness, fallen desires. Creation will experience glory just as the children of God will.

Consider.

I love that Easter occurs in spring. The new life bursting out all around us is a physical reminder of resurrection life to come, just as the hope in our hearts is a hint of the glory that is to come in our own lives when we experience resurrection life in full. I pray that, regardless of the suffering you may embrace now (the downward curve of the J-curve), you will be on a resurrection hunt every day, experiencing the joy that is a foretaste of the new heavens and new earth that is coming (the upward curve of the J-curve).

Pause and pray.

Jesus, help me humble myself and trust in your glory, not my own.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

Notes

1.  Prayer used daily in Lectio365 found at https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/