Missing the Jesus right in front of me
Prayer Journal for March 9, 2019
Christ beyond all my imagination,
It is comforting to know that I am not the only one who does not understand what it means to be in relationship with you. The people in this text did not understand what you were telling them, even though they knew the Scriptures and were looking for the Messiah. They had in their mind an understanding of what you were going to look like, and when you did not meet up with their expectations, they dismissed you out of hand.
This is like so much of my life and experience with the church. You consistently come to people in ways they do not expect. You continue to surprise us. Thank you for the surprises that you offer, as well as your forgiveness when we do not take the time to understand what you would have us know. Thank you for the witness of the Bible and the reminder that I am not alone in my lack of vision.
Challenge me to remember that you are there each and every day. Help me to see you in the people I meet, the situations that I face, and the opportunities you put in front of me. Prevent my expectations from being too small. Open me up to your Holy Spirit each and every day.
Amen.
Leaning In, Letting Go: A Lenten Devotional
For several years the Disciples of First Christian Church (DOC) in Dexter, Missouri have used Advent and Lenten devotionals from Chalice Press to guide our personal prayer in preparation for the Christmas and Easter holidays. This year’s Lenten devotional, Leaning In, Letting Go, was written by Rev. Dr. Nicole Massie Martin, the founder of Soulfire Ministries and professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. My personal discipline during this season will be to daily respond to her questions in my prayer journal. From time to time during the season I will sharing some of my reflections here on this page.
