What does He see in me?

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self. –Aristotle


Lent, by its very definition and nature, is a time for serious introspection. Many people take this season as a time to eliminate a bad habit (like smoking or overeating sweets) or undesirable activity (like swearing) from our day-to-day life. That’s really great, since doing something for forty days just may make it a permanent change.

The downside is, with so much focus on repentance and sinfulness, it can be easy to look in the mirror and only see the miserable sinner looking back. The negatives, it seems, are always easier to focus on; in so doing, if we are not careful we can be really hard on ourselves. We can forget that God doesn’t “score” us the same way we (or the world) score ourselves.

Remember that magic word, grace? The word that reminds us that God’s Love is unconditional, and not based on what we deserve? Rather, God loves us because God is Love. God’s very nature is Love. Nothing we have ever done diminishes God’s Love for us. Not. One. Whit.

And don’t forget: we were created in the image of the Almighty (Genesis 1:26-27). Within each one of us lies the perfect image of God. Some days, I think it’s that warm sense of joy that just won’t go away, even when things are going poorly.

So if you ever are wondering what God could ever see in you that’s worth loving or dying for—it’s God.

And you are loved.

Monday Begin the week with a big prayer for unity of understanding and healing among the nations of the world. Give thanks for diversity of thought. Ezekiel 36:23

Tuesday Our own nation stands divided in many ways: over wages, healthcare and more. Pray, again, for healing of mind and spirit. Galatians 3:28

Wednesday The great state of Ohio is clearly not free from division. Pray fiercely for the leadership of your state. Allow God to speak to your soul. Acts 3:1-10

Thursday Pray today for your neighbors in the community in which you live. Pray for a unified vision among community leaders and schools. Titus 3:1-2

Friday Pray for the University Circle Arts community as it is redeveloping and emerging as a jewel in the city’s crown. Pray for a strong, unified voice among leaders. Romans 13:8-10

Saturday In your quiet time today, listen for points of disquiet or discord within your own soul. Ask God to guide you to peace. Proverbs 14:30

Sunday Pray for The United Methodist Church as we continue to wrestle over issues of human rights and love. Greet one another this morning in love. Ephesians 6:23-24

At the innermost core of all loneliness is a deep and powerful yearning for union with one’s lost self. –Brendan Behan


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