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April 2, 2010 Read: Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalm 32:1-2 Think About: Join yourself at the cross. Remember, He died only yesterday. You are not a prophet. You have no idea what will happen tomorrow, Sunday, the first day of the week. Gazing at the cross, you feel at peace. Confessing your errors and finding forgiveness, even of yourself, has emptied you. But it has also freed you. A presence overwhelms you. The love of God pours over you. You are in the presence of God. And you live. Confession and forgiveness - forgiving those who wronged you, seeking forgiveness for your errors, even forgiving yourself - is a powerful application! Confession opens the door for forgiveness. Forgiveness cannot be obtained without confession. Burdens released, soul open, you have drawn closer to God. All these practices that you have thought about these weeks are not a checklist for faith, a secret code for the religious, nor proof of holiness. It is not enough to believe; you also must act. It is easy to praise God in the best of times. It is easy to confess and forgive in the worse of times. However, we live most of our life in ordinary times, neither great victories nor crushing defeats. Merely day-to-day life. We are called to living our life, each day, seeking to use these powerful applications to draw closer to God. In response to the love of God, and the gift of forgiveness, He calls from the cross, calls us to action. Not to prove our worth. We are consumed with the passion to live as God wants us to live! Loving kindness, doing justice, walking humbly with God. Because we have no choice. This then is the challenge of this time at the cross during the day after He died. Yes, remember the power of confession and the joy of forgiveness. Yes, seek the presence and forgiveness of God, strengthen by the love of God. But never stop there. As an unstoppable response to that great love, remember what he taught. We heard it. We were there. And practice that each day, every day, all day, in every part of our lives, and in every relationship of our lives. And we begin to pray...Our Father who art in heaven... Pray this Prayer: Oh God, thank you for your patient ear for our confessions. Thank you for your loving forgiveness. Help us to pray our confessions, and to grow closer to your presence. Amen. You are invited and encouraged to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with the spiritual practices at the Lenten Devotional Blog. We are on this journey together and your words may help another along the way. Having problems viewing this page? Click here to view it online. Click here to be removed from the Lent Daily Devotions © 2010 St. Luke's United Methodist Church at Windermere |
