Lord of the Journey, help this dear reader in their preparation for spiritual strength and blessing; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 2 Corinthians 4: 3 If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. 4 All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get. 5 Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. 6 It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. (The Message)
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a simple step." This is credited to Lau-Tzu, whose original translation some believe read, "The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet," meaning that more important than that first step, a long journey begins with being still. Another said this reads better as ""Even the longest journey must begin where you stand." As we prepare for a 40-day journey called Lent, we begin with understanding where we are and where God wants us to be. At the start of our journey tomorrow we should know where we are standing. A good question to ask ourselves is, Am I standing closer to God than I was last year or do I find myself farther away? Lent allows us to grow closer to God. The passage for today comes from Paul who when he encountered the Lord was miles from where God wanted him, though Paul himself thought he was exactly where God wanted, and doing what God wanted. Paul was standing up for religion but was knocked down for Christ. From his enounter forward sharing the gospel was his life. From then on, Paul understood that where he had been had been in darkness, and his call now was to bring others to the light of Jesus Christ.
You and I have the best picture of God through Jesus Christ. We have a strong message of hope and we need to share it with others. Let Lent be a time for personal growth knowing that sometimes growth within comes from sharing what we already have with those who have yet to hear.
PRAYER: Loving God, as I and this person who makes this prayer his/her own, let us journey in the light of Jesus. May we be ready to share the Good News of the relationship we have with You through Your Son. May this time of Lent bring me closer to the place You would have me be. Give me light to recognize clearly all that I need. May my eyes be open as well as my ears and my mind to Your call. I pray this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
