17 Feb My Grace is Sufficient (Lent Series Part 1)

Week 0 – Introduction – Galatians 1:11-24. The hug your cactus journey begins with an invitation to deny or die to self/ego. The always zealous Paul reflects back on his moment of crisis, when he encountered Jesus and his whole world is turned upside down. Despite his past, by the grace of God he was given a new identity and calling.

February 18 – Ash Wednesday – Day 1

Reading: ¹⁰ For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

¹¹ For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. ¹² For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
–Galatians 1:10-12

Reflection: Ash Wednesday begins lent with a reminder that we are finite creatures. Many of you will receive ashes on your foreheads and have someone speak over you, “from dust you were taken and to dust you shall return.” This contrast between creatures and creator is also strong in the passage above, where Paul wrestles with whose approval he is seeking: God or man’s. We also know that the gospel, the good news of Jesus is an other-worldly message that cannot merely be human; instead, we see that the gospel is heaven-sent grace through the revelation found in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer:  God, I confess that I am a finite creature, that I was created from dust and one day I will return to dust. Help me to seek to serve you my eternal Creator more than my fellow creatures. Remind me that the gospel is good news from heaven; namely, that our sins our forgiven in the name of Jesus, amen.

February 19 – Day 2 (Thursday)

Reading: ¹³ For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 
–Galatians 1:13-14

Reflection: We all have a “former life.” Though we may not have been a literal Pharisee or persecutor of the church, we all have sins in our past that bring us guilt or shame. The hardest part of dealing with our past is in those moments we were passionate or “zealous” about things that were not what God wants for us. Yet, we are not defined by our past and God’s mercy covers all of our sins—no matter how big or small they feel. It reminds me of the following quote: “trying to hurt me by bring up my past is like trying to rob my old house. I don’t live there anymore. That isn’t my stuff.”

Prayer: God, I confess that I have things that bring me anxiety and shame from my past. Help me to confess whatever is on my mind right now. Remind me that your grace covers over all my sins, amen.

February 20 – Day 3 (Friday)

Reading: ¹⁵ But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, ¹⁶ was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
–Galatians 1:15-17

Reflection: The living Jesus was revealed to Saul and his entire life was literally turned upside down. Years later he reflects on this moment and connects it being called by God’s grace and set apart before he was even born. Saul was set apart to follow Jesus before he was born, but guess what, so were you and I. Saul had a specific calling to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, but he didn’t fully discover or follow this calling right away. In response to his moment of crisis Paul went away to Arabia (desert, think cactus) for around three years. We don’t know exactly what he did there, but I think it’s fair to assume he used at least some of that time to unpack his encounter with Jesus and his new calling. Like Saul, we all need time alone with Jesus to help unpack what we have been set aside to do as we follow Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, just like Saul you have called me by grace and set me apart, even before I was born. This is almost too wonderful for me to even comprehend. If I am honest with myself I struggle to create the space to be alone with you to discover and unpack what you have set me aside to do as I follow you. Over these next few weeks I pray that you will help me grow closer to you, spend more time with you, and discover more of what you have set me apart to do by our grace.

February 21 – Day 4 (Saturday)

Reading: ²² And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.
–Galatians 1:22-24

Reflection: Transformation! This is what the entire Lent Journey is about. It is a time for each of us to reflect on our own journeys of transportation. As the Apostle Paul reflects on his own journey. After three years reflecting on his new calling and identity in Christ. This transformation caused those who knew him as Saul the persecutor to be amazed that he was now preaching the good news of Jesus. It’s important to note here that God received the credit here and not Saul or even the people who helped him through this journey. When we experience personal transformation the glory always goes to God!   

Prayer: Jesus, you transformed the life of Saul the persecutor to become known as Paul the preacher of the good news. In this Paul and others gave you alone the glory. In my own personal journey of transformation, help me to remember that the glory goes to you. Today I thank you for the transformation I am experiencing and for those you have sent to help me along the way, amen.

Feb 22 Week 1: Crisis – Acts 9:1-19. On his way to persecute more followers of The Way Saul experiences his moment of crisis, when he is confronted by the risen Jesus. Here he realizes that everything he thought he was doing for the LORD was actually working against Him. Here he begins the slow process of being restored into a life of new meaning and purpose . 

February 23 – Day 5 (Monday)

Reading: But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. ⁴ And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 
–Acts 9:1-4

Reflection: Saul was not merely running from God; Saul was working against Jesus and His church. Jesus graciously interrupts Saul with a blinding light from heaven and a question: “why are you persecuting me?” Much like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jesus pursues Saul in the midst of sin and welcomes him back into relationship with a pointed question. So, how might Jesus be interrupting your life right now? What questions do you think Jesus might ask you?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for interrupting Saul and thank you for the ways you interrupt me—whether it is delivering me from sin or sending me on a mission that I would never expect. Teach me the patience and wisdom to accept all interruptions as opportunities sent by you. Thank you that you love me enough to not only love me, but pursue me with your love, amen.

February 24 – Day 6 (Tuesday)

Reading: ⁵ And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ⁶ But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” ⁷ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
–Acts 9:5-9

Reflection: Here we see the shocking shift in Paul’s greatest struggle: his zeal and passion. Paul’s zeal for persecuting the church is redirected towards building the church. But this dramatic shift is not without some pain. Paul is humbled by losing his sight, “led by the hand,” like a helpless child, completely dependent on the help of others. When was a time in your life when you went through a difficult transition and had to lean on the kindness and help of others? 

Prayer: God, redirect some of my worst passions and character qualities into something redeemed and useful for the building of your Kingdom. Remind me of all the places you have transformed my own life so that I can testify to your great work in my testimony to others.