With apologies for a lapse in posting yesterday, here are today's readings: Psalms 88,
91, 92; Jere 11:1-8, 14-20; Rom 6:1-11 and John 8:33-47
Reading Psalm 88 and Jeremiah are quite depressing. It's hard to imagine (unless we've personally been there) what it would be like to be experiencing what those writers in scripture experienced.
As I shifted my readings to the New Testament I was struck by the commentary that might be given towards those Older writings. In both Paul's writing and Jesus' statements sin is set in the context of "slavery". Given our countries dark legacy with treating human beings as slaves we know that it is an awful thing to be called a slave. Slavery is bondage, a lack of freedom, a dictation of duties and life, and the awful bondage of fear...and that is what sin and it's consequences does to us.
As I spent some time praying I realized that I take little time to really understand where I might be enslaved. I know God has taken this Lenten season to confront some fears and anxieties in me; and he has also taken me to new levels in asking me if I trust him...I wished I could say I have passed with flying colors. Instead, my humanity is more glaring than ever. Isn't it true that Paul says we are meant for freedom and that freedom is found in "dying to Christ", which frankly has already been made possible because Christ Jesus died for us. Oh, Lord, help, please.
A Prayer:
"Father of mercy, grace, truth and love, how I need you. My heart and soul cries out for you - the living God. I want your freedom. I want to know in the depth of my being that living for you is not a chore, not a performance, not a duty, but a delight of freedom in son-ship. This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen."
91, 92; Jere 11:1-8, 14-20; Rom 6:1-11 and John 8:33-47
Reading Psalm 88 and Jeremiah are quite depressing. It's hard to imagine (unless we've personally been there) what it would be like to be experiencing what those writers in scripture experienced.
As I shifted my readings to the New Testament I was struck by the commentary that might be given towards those Older writings. In both Paul's writing and Jesus' statements sin is set in the context of "slavery". Given our countries dark legacy with treating human beings as slaves we know that it is an awful thing to be called a slave. Slavery is bondage, a lack of freedom, a dictation of duties and life, and the awful bondage of fear...and that is what sin and it's consequences does to us.
As I spent some time praying I realized that I take little time to really understand where I might be enslaved. I know God has taken this Lenten season to confront some fears and anxieties in me; and he has also taken me to new levels in asking me if I trust him...I wished I could say I have passed with flying colors. Instead, my humanity is more glaring than ever. Isn't it true that Paul says we are meant for freedom and that freedom is found in "dying to Christ", which frankly has already been made possible because Christ Jesus died for us. Oh, Lord, help, please.
A Prayer:
"Father of mercy, grace, truth and love, how I need you. My heart and soul cries out for you - the living God. I want your freedom. I want to know in the depth of my being that living for you is not a chore, not a performance, not a duty, but a delight of freedom in son-ship. This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen."
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