Lent 2024 | Day 32

By Janet Nygren
Day 32 (Thursday, Mar 21)

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.

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’” (Mark 12:41-44)

Think about it.

I’m often like the rich people described here. I’m faithful about offerings, but very careful to be sure my giving is “responsible,” not cutting into other obligations I have. The widow’s extravagance toward God is astounding! She joyfully enters a Love J-Curve, not knowing how God will provide, but trusting him nonetheless. Paul Miller says that a Love J-Curve invariably turns into a Suffering J-Curve.² Love costs something, resulting in suffering that “finds you,” often in unexpected ways. We might start out counting the cost, but never know how a scenario will play out.

Consider.

Remember what God said in Malachi 3:10? “Test me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Just imagine what a resurrection moment might have looked like for that widow! Do you identify with the rich people or the poor widow? How far are you willing to test God?

Pause and pray.

Jesus, help me have faith to follow where you lead.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Notes

1.  Prayer used daily in Lectio365 found at https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/
2.  Paul E. Miller, J-Curve (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019), 122-123.