Lent 2024 | Day 13

By Janet Nygren
Day 13 (Wednesday, Feb 28)

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.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20-21)

Think about it.

Today’s passage follows immediately after the one from yesterday, where Paul pleaded with tears for people to walk in the way of Jesus, rather than the way that leads to destruction, the path for those whose minds are set on earthly things. The good news is that Jesus never leaves us on our own to do what he asks us to do. He simply asks us to trust him and walk in faith. We all start from a place of trusting in other things–ourselves or some aspect of the creation. But when we put our trust in something other than God, it turns into its own prison. We begin to serve the thing we thought was serving us. It chokes us. It kills us. Like a drug that starts out as escape, but then takes control. Jesus alone transforms us to be truly free.

Consider.

Yesterday I asked you to consider dying to the things that give you a good reputation. Today let’s go on a resurrection hunt. Can you think of a time when you had to let go of your identity or recognition for something, and trust Jesus for the outcome?

Pause and Pray.

Jesus, help me to know you better.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray—I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
(Verse 4, And Can It Be? Charles Wesley)

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