Lenten Devotion for March 26

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.... Philippians 3.10a

And who wouldn’t??  The power of His resurrection would let me vault over obstacles, dodge harm, harness wisdom, serve courageously, live creatively, exude love….

But that’s not all Saint Paul has to say:

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death.... Philippians 3.10

That doesn’t sound so appealing any more.  Signing on with Jesus doesn’t set us up for an endless series of glory days.  His first disciples begrudgingly learned that lesson two thousand years ago.  The very real power of the resurrection is rooted in our Lord’s suffering.  Two weeks remain in Lent.  What’s the suffering in our lives that could draw us closer to Christ if we let it?

Let’s pray:

Father in heaven, we’d rather be riding the gravy train than walking the Way of the Cross.  Be patient with us “little faiths” as we grumble and stumble along.  May we see pain of body or spirit as a sharing in Your precious Son’s suffering, that it may ennoble rather than demean us. May Your will be done.  Amen

Pastor Mary Virginia Farnham (bluiris27@msn.com)