02.20.12 “A downward movement”
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:23-25
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?
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Reflection Questions
Our GPS readings for this week are designed as a focus on the important season of Lent which begins this Wednesday. Lent originated as a season of preparation for new converts to Christianity. This 40-day period [excluding Sundays] of prayer and fasting culminated on Easter Sunday with new believers being baptized into the Christian faith. For us today, Lent points us to the cross, reminding us of our need for a Savior and the call we have received to follow our crucified Savior.
- In Matthew 7, Jesus says, “Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life.” In Luke 9, Jesus reminds us that the Christian journey is not an upward climb but a downward movement of sacrifice.
- Begin this week with a moment of prayer and reflection. How might God be calling you to “take up your cross” today?
Weekly Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.