“Lent is not about endless repetition of the fact that we are sinners.Instead, it offers us over and over the chance to see the beauty of life with God, a beauty that has been obscured by a multitude of compromises. Lent is a quieting of the soul and a lessening of the distractions so we can again hear the voice of God”
Esau McCaulley
I shared that quote at the beginning of Lent. As we start the third full week of Lent, what are you noticing in your walk with Jesus? Are you experiencing a “quieting of the soul”?
In my Ash Wednesday reflection, I shared a prayer of surrender that I have continued to pray. I haven’t prayed it every day, but I am praying it multiple times per week. Every year, my experience of Lent is a little different. But this year the last few weeks have been a watershed for me. The devoted time in repentance, surrender, and renewal has been (and continues to be) a gift. I really believe much of that has been rooted in that surrender to God. I had mentioned I was wrestling with God, but I didn’t realize how much. And it is on the other side of surrender that I am experiencing that quiet soul.
My need for surrender and recognizing my need for the Lord’s work in my life is reflected in this week’s contemporary version of the Sunday collect (prayer) from the Book of Common Prayer::
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves
to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and
inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all
adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil
thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Psalm reading for today is from Psalm 19.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
Ps 19:7-14
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19 is one of my favorites. (If you like nerdy reflections, I presented a paper on Psalm 19 in 2021. Here’s a link to the recording.) We don’t necessarily think of “law,” “statutes,” or “commands” as good things. But through His Torah, which contains all of those, God reveals not only His will, but His character. While Christians don’t have to keep the Mosaic Law, we can learn from it. What is true of the Law is also true of the Gospels, What Scripture reading practices do you find helpful so that you can know God and His ways better?
I am praying that God is working in your life right now, perhaps quieting your soul as you meditate on His word. I’d love to hear your stories about what He is doing and how I can be praying for you!
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© 2019-2024 Jennifer Brown Jones
Life Beyond #Blessed 