Looking Unto the Cross..... A devotional for day 26 of LENT Thursday, April 6

Scripture reading: Matthew 5:1-12 Colossians 1:9-24 As we journey through this forty-day period of Lent, it is incumbent on us to search our hearts in the light of God's love and grace. Without God's participation in our introspection, we can become obsessively introspective, and lose sight of where we are journeying. Why is it important for us to prayerfully consider our hearts, and intents? We understand sin, to be falling short of the glory of God, and the way to learn our deficiency is to call upon Almighty God to show us our hearts, and help us to overcome the sins that beset and entangle us. A few centuries ago lived a woman who would eventually be considered a leader in spirituality. We know her today as Lady Julian of Norwich. Her entire religious, spiritual life was radically changed through praying a very simple, yet profound prayer. In all seriousness and truth, Lady Julian prayed: "O God, please give me three wounds; the wound of contrition and the wound of compassion and the wound of longing after God. This I ask without condition." In spite of the brevity of this prayer, when we look at it, we quickly realize that all the ingredients for hungering and thirsting after God Almighty are here. The prophet Isaiah related God's heart to His people by saying: "For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Contrition has the meaning of destroy, beat to pieces, break in pieces, crush, humble. In order to be healed, we must first be broken. There is a great saying found within the Christian community: "God comforts the afflicted, not so they will be comfortable, but so they may comfort others." When we are truly contrite in heart and spirit, we experience the love and grace of God in a new and fulfilling way. The body of Jesus was broken that we might have life; and it is through our brokenness that others come to find life. It is not for nothing that disciples of Christ are called "wounded healers." Jesus calls us to follow Him, through Jerusalem, all the way to Calvary and out of the empty tomb. This is the school that teaches us compassion, that we may "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and body, and love others as yourself." The wound of longing after God, might be stated: "O God, that I might want Thee so badly that it becomes a wound in my heart that I can't get over." Sounds like, I might be hungering and thirsting after God, as a deer pants for water. Jesus never promised us that life would be rosy and on the up and up materially, if we were to follow Him. But He did promise eternal rewards that are out of this world, to those who would follow and not give up. Probably the most difficult aspect of this prayer is her words: "This I ask without condition." Am I ready to allow God to hold full sway in my life, and do as He pleases? The apostle James says in his letter, "You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." Godly introspection helps me to see where my priorities are, and where I stand in relation to Christ. Do I love God enough, to honestly pray this prayer, and place my life in His hands? It cannot be guaranteed that anyone praying this prayer will become a renowned saint, in this life and world. But again, we are striving for the benefits that are out of this world, not in it. Terry Pinkerton Viborg, SD USA PRAYER Oh, Father God, my head tells me to fear these three wounds, and giving up control. My heart says it will be all right, though it will be very hard for a while. I cannot pray for these wounds, but I can pray for your strength to encourage me to climb on the path, and seek to follow after Your Son Jesus Christ, the Savior of my soul. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, the Rock that will set my face like flint, to follow my Lord and Savior, all the way to Easter. Amen. Suggested Daily Scripture Reading [Psalm 69] [Exod. 1:6-22] [ I Cor. 12:12-26] [Mark 8:27- 9:1] Visit: 1999 Advent/Christmas Series Epiphany Series You may send e-mail comments or suggestions toYvonne Edwards. Edited: Mar. 18, 7:55 a.m. Page designed by: Cecil Wallace Prayer by: Terry Pinkerton The background set is provided by For His Glory Cross button courtesy of The Christian Graphics Gallery Copyright © 2000 NazNet All rights reserved. International copyright secured.