A devotion for Lent

Recently I received a packet of Lenten devotions from the students of our area Wesley Foundations – that they put together – together across the east and west.  They are the present and future voices providing spiritual direction to our church.  Thanks be to God!  I wanted to share these devotions with you. I hope that you will incorporate them into your Lenten devotional time.

On this Ash Wednesday, I remind you that the promise of Easter is never gone – even in the midst of Lent!

I will be sharing these with you.

Wednesday, February 26

“How are you?” 

Read Psalm 51:1-17

“Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins.”  

-Isaiah 58:1

I frequently find myself confronted with the question “How are you?” Although this seems like a simple question, I almost always avoid answering this question with the truth. Typically, I respond “I am good. How are you?” because it’s the easiest answer. I tell myself that I choose the easy answer because I am in a hurry or I don’t know the person who asked the question well, but I make this choice because I am afraid to allow myself to accurately evaluate how I am. Although it is not hard to just tell others how I feel or what is happening in my life, I don’t want to answer the question because it means admitting the truth to myself.

I believe that many people struggle with admitting the truth of what is going on in their lives. After taking part in many sins, David struggles and avoids the feelings that weigh on his heart. In a confrontation by Nathan, David begins to let all of his feelings and struggles pour out, and he asks God to create in him a clean heart. I like to think that Nathan could have asked the simple question of “How are you? No, really, how are you?” to get this response from David. This simple question, when asked by the right person, shows that people care about what is happening in our lives and prompts us to let down any walls we surround ourselves with.

Now is the time to let down your walls. I ask this question to you: How are you? Really, how are you? Take some time to think about the events happening in your life and how they make you feel. You may actually be happy and well, but it is also normal to feel sad, lonely, or just like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Take this time to be honest with yourself because it’s never too late to admit your feelings to yourself, someone else, or to God. Answering this question truthfully brings us closer to God.

Prayer: Dear God, allow me to let down my walls to share and face the truth of my own burdens. Help me give my troubles to you, Lord, so that you can create in me a clean heart. In your name, Amen.

• • • • • • • • • • • A. Webb (Belmont Wesley)