Comin Right Up

So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time.  1Peter 5:6

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​It’s almost time my friends…lent is one week away so it’s time to start thinking about the season designed to help us grow in holiness!  Today I offer a few questions to think on and pray with in these next few days.  The questions will help process a very simple 7 Word prayer compliments of the amazing Mother Olga and help us draw into a powerful Lent. Spend some time with these words and let the Holy Spirit help you discover what this Lent will look like for you.
Lord, Empty me.  Fill me.  Use me.

*What are the habits and behaviors or sins I seem to “go back to” even though I try to avoid or change them.  Lord, empty me of these things and fill me with your grace.

*In times of stress or frustration, what do I turn to for consolation?  Is it prayer, snacks, the screen or something else? Lord, fill me with your consolation and a desire to turn to you first.

*If Jesus took human form and spent the day with me, what would he notice or encourage me to do differently? Lord, how would you like to use me?

*When I hear the word “Sacrifice” what comes to mind?  Lord, fill me with a desire to sacrifice joyfully out of love for you.

*On a scale of 1 to 10 how comfortable is my life and how important is comfort and convenience to me? Lord, how are you calling me to step out into the deep and be a little uncomfortable in order to love and serve you more.

Lent isn’t meant to be a time of torture but giving up beach swimming for Lent in Michigan isn’t really going to develop much holiness.  As with all things, balance is key.  Lent is a time for God to exalt you.  The sacrifices we make are supposed to help us grow closer to God and that isn’t always easy work.  The work of holiness can be really hard, and it requires change and that often means being uncomfortable and inconvenienced, so as we ponder this 7 Word prayer and these questions let’s pray that the Father will help us discover the ways he’s inviting us to humble ourselves before him and be touched by the power of his mighty hand. In the words of Mr. Mark Toups, if you continue to do what you’ve always done during Lent, you may find yourself no different on Easter Sunday than you were on Ash Wednesday.  The pursuit of heaven requires forward motion…Lord, get me movin this Lent!

A Seed To Plant:  Take Mother Olga’s 7 Words and these questions to prayer and jot down what he puts on your heart so we can take a look at them on Monday and form a Lenten plan.​

Blessings on your day!