A Season of Hope – Preparing Our Hearts for Easter
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
During this Lenten season, we have focused on how we can prepare our hearts for Easter with these “ingredients”: praying, fasting, repenting, recommitting, and serving. You may have felt led to participate in all areas or perhaps just one or two, which is perfectly fine. Remember, we don’t observe Lent to earn God’s favor. He already loves us! Our worthiness comes from being chosen and loved by God, not from anything we do or have done, which is a humbling reminder that we are completely dependent on God’s grace and mercy. Our prayer, however, should always be that we are open to the work God is doing to transform our hearts so that our actions would reflect Christ. But, are you still plagued with feelings of unworthiness? That God couldn’t possibly use you to make a difference in the lives of others? Next time you think you are unworthy, consider the following:
• Noah was a drunk
• Abraham was too old
• Isaac was a daydreamer
• Jacob was a liar
• Leah was ugly
• Joseph was abused
• Moses had a stuttering problem
• Gideon was afraid
• Samson was a womanizer
• Rahab was a prostitute
• Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
• David was an adulterer and a murderer
• Elijah was suicidal
• Isaiah preached naked
• Jonah ran from God
• Naomi was a widow
• Job went bankrupt
• John the Baptist was dirty and unkempt and ate bugs
• Peter denied Christ, not once but three times
• The disciples fell asleep when Jesus told them to stay awake and pray
• Martha worried about everything
• The Samaritan woman was divorced (more than once)
• Zacchaeus was too small
• Paul was too religious
• Timothy had an ulcer
• Lazarus was dead!
~ author unknown
As we get closer to Easter, remember that our focus on the four “ingredients” doesn’t end on Resurrection Sunday. Our eyes should always be fixed on the “Finisher of our faith.” Be encouraged, dear readers, for we are promised that “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:6)
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You as the Author and Finisher of our faith, the One who called us for Your purposes and has a unique plan for our lives. May we fix our eyes on You daily, to walk the path of devotion to You and service to others. Thank you for encouraging us through Your Word today. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
I am honored that you have read my devotion today and I hope it encourages you and glorifies God. To receive Devotions For All Reasons in your email every day, go to the home page and simply click on “Subscribe.”
– painting by Jennifer Chase
