This week we focus on the Lenten theme of humility.
Words of Reflection
At one time or another, most Christians have probably experienced a troubling shift during a season of intentional spiritual pursuit, such as reading through the Bible in a year, or taking a Lenten prayer journey—a shift that changes the nature of what we’re doing and the reason we’re doing it.
In short, what was meant to be “devotion” becomes “work.” What began with an earnest and heartfelt desire to draw closer to God becomes less about communion and more about obligation. When that happens during Lent, the shift can turn us around and push us in the opposite direction from where we started. Instead of heading to the cross, with its powerful reminder of what Christ has done for us, we turn away and start focusing on the things we’re doing for him. We act as though the “success” of our journey depends on our performance, and when that belief takes over we find ourselves drifting off the path. Essentially we begin walking away from from Jerusalem instead of towards it.
This is a very tender place, and in this tender place God invites us to humble our hearts before him. Whenever we begin to think that our spiritual growth is primarily dependent on our own effort, God invites us to stop whatever it is we’re doing and simply gaze upon the cross of Christ. Only in being reminded of Christ’s work can we find what we need to stop focusing on ours.
Today we’re going to do just that, by allowing a wonderful, yet little-known, hymn of the cross serve as our invitation to remember that this journey is not about our work or our worthiness. It is about Christ’s work and his worthiness alone. As you read, be sure not to rush through the lyrics. Allow these words to become your own humble prayer of re-centering.
This particular recording features one instrumental verse before the vocals begin. You might wish to use that time to be still, breathe deep, and begin in a spirit of prayer. Focus on the cross, whether with your eyes or with your heart, and know that the one who traveled to that cross willingly is more than able to turn us around when we’ve strayed from the path.
Scripture for Meditation:
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
—Ephesians 2:4-10 (NIV)
Song: Not What My Hands Have Done
Not what my hands have done
Can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne
Can make my spirit whole.Not what I feel or do
Can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers and sighs and tears
Can bear my awful load.Thy work alone, O Christ,
Can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God,
Can give me peace within.Thy love to me, O God,
Not mine, O Lord, to thee,
Can rid me of this dark unrest,
And set my spirit free.I bless the Christ of God;
I rest on love divine;
And with unfalt'ring lip and heart,
I call this Savior mine.His cross dispels each doubt;
I bury in his tomb
Each thought of unbelief and fear,
Each ling'ring shade of gloom.I praise the God of grace;
I trust his truth and might;
He calls me his, I call him mine,
My God, my joy, my light.'Tis he who saveth me,
And freely pardon gives;
I love because he loveth me,
I live because he lives.
Horatius Bonar
Public Domain
Questions for Contemplation:
Are you able to discern when an intentional spiritual journey shifts from devotion to “work?” What are the signs in your heart and soul that alert you to this? How might you prayerfully respond when this happens?
Spend some time simply meditating on these important words from Ephesians 2: “grace,” “gift,” and “kindness.” How has God demonstrated these words in your life? Spend some time in grateful prayer for those experiences, and ask God to keep you centered in their truth as you continue on your journey of faith.
Read again these words from today’s hymn. Pray them and simply sit in the joy and peace that comes from knowing these amazing truths: you are his, and he is yours.
I praise the God of grace;
I trust his truth and might;
He calls me his, I call him mine,
My God, my joy, my light.
'Tis he who saveth me,
And freely pardon gives;
I love because he loveth me,
I live because he lives.