1 Corinthians 10:31-33: So eat your meals heartily, not
worrying about what others say about you—you’re eating to
God’s glory, after all, not to please them. As a matter of fact,
do everything that way, heartily and freely to God’s glory. At
the same time, don’t be callous in your exercise of freedom,
thoughtlessly stepping on the toes of those who aren’t as free
as you are. (The Message)
Usually when I think about what I am going to give up for
Lent, I end up picking something that I like—coffee,
chocolate, donuts—and then do my best to abstain until
Easter Sunday dawns. Then it’s back to my old creature
comforts! But if I take Paul’s advice to the church in
Corinth, maybe I should be giving up something I don’t
like… and not go back to it at all.
So this Lent I am giving up Fear.
If I “do everything that way, heartily and freely to God’s
glory,” more fearlessly without becoming “callous in my
exercise of freedom,” I believe that I will journey into a
deeper discipleship with the holy rebel, Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, you said, ‘Fear not.’ I am taking you at your
word. Amen.
Psalm 89:1-18; Genesis 49:1-28; 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1;
Mark 7:24-37
These Lenten meditations were written by the people
of St. Barnabas' for the people of St. Barnabas' as part
of our recognition of the 50th anniversary of the founding
of this church. We hope that you will find them helpful
in your own Lenten devotions.
