AN ACCOUNTING
SCRIPTURE
What will I do when God confronts me?
What will I answer when called to account?
-Job 31:14
Few people look forward to annual reviews, regardless of whether the evaluation is medical or professional. We're afraid we may not pass some sort of test. When someone else holds the power to change our lives with a review, it can be scary. Lent is a good time for a spiritual review. We can ask God, "How am I doing?" The good news is that God is often kinder and more affirming than we tend to be with ourselves.
Because of the cross, we start with what Christ did for us and ask God to evaluate how we live because of his unbelievable sacrifice. We examine ourselves against Christ's performance. Our culture doesn't teach us to review this way. Instead, it must be a deliberate choice. We are called to answer life-giving questions: Do we love with God's love? Do we serve with humble joy? Do we worry unnecessarily about what God promised to take care of? Are we cooperating with God's timing?
To answer these questions honestly, we look at Jesus's life first.
Then we ask God to help us find the same seamless, intimate, and transformative relationship Jesus had with his Father. We pray the Gethsemane prayer: your will, not mine. We keep praying this prayer until it is true in the small and large choices. We pray the prayer until God's will becomes the only way to satisfy the burning need in our hearts.
While we are called to give an account, we are not called to cower in fear of a reprimand. We are called to enjoy God's welcome and delight as he directs our transformation. When his joy becomes ours, we no longer fear what we give up because what he provides is more than enough to satisfy our burning needs.
BURNING QUESTIONS
1. What do you hear when you ask God, "How am I doing?"
2. What do you discover about your spiritual accounting when you use the questions from today's reflection?
AFFIRMATION
The One who called me to follow him will lead my review with love and affirmation.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Truthful Lord, I come to you for accountability and review. My life is open and ready.
SCRIPTURE
What will I do when God confronts me?
What will I answer when called to account?
-Job 31:14
Few people look forward to annual reviews, regardless of whether the evaluation is medical or professional. We're afraid we may not pass some sort of test. When someone else holds the power to change our lives with a review, it can be scary. Lent is a good time for a spiritual review. We can ask God, "How am I doing?" The good news is that God is often kinder and more affirming than we tend to be with ourselves.
Because of the cross, we start with what Christ did for us and ask God to evaluate how we live because of his unbelievable sacrifice. We examine ourselves against Christ's performance. Our culture doesn't teach us to review this way. Instead, it must be a deliberate choice. We are called to answer life-giving questions: Do we love with God's love? Do we serve with humble joy? Do we worry unnecessarily about what God promised to take care of? Are we cooperating with God's timing?
To answer these questions honestly, we look at Jesus's life first.
Then we ask God to help us find the same seamless, intimate, and transformative relationship Jesus had with his Father. We pray the Gethsemane prayer: your will, not mine. We keep praying this prayer until it is true in the small and large choices. We pray the prayer until God's will becomes the only way to satisfy the burning need in our hearts.
While we are called to give an account, we are not called to cower in fear of a reprimand. We are called to enjoy God's welcome and delight as he directs our transformation. When his joy becomes ours, we no longer fear what we give up because what he provides is more than enough to satisfy our burning needs.
BURNING QUESTIONS
1. What do you hear when you ask God, "How am I doing?"
2. What do you discover about your spiritual accounting when you use the questions from today's reflection?
AFFIRMATION
The One who called me to follow him will lead my review with love and affirmation.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Truthful Lord, I come to you for accountability and review. My life is open and ready.
Posted in Lent