Lent Guide 2023Sample

Wednesday – To be held in God’s arms

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(Ephesians 2:10)

"O God, help me to believe that truth about myself no matter how beautiful it is!" wrote the spiritual guide and author Macrina Wiederkehr.

One of the hardest things for any of us to believe is the beautiful truth about ourselves. We readily embrace the negative messages about ourselves but find it challenging to embrace the beauty.

We are, as St. Paul says, "rich" because of God's kindness to us in Christ. Each of us is crafted, with skill and purpose, by God for God's purpose. We do not need to be like anyone else or do what anyone else does because each of us has a unique role. After all, we are "God's handiwork".

The comparisons I make between me and others are unhelpful. I might think someone is good enough, and they disagree. I may think I am not good enough, and someone else may put me on a pedestal!

In this season of Lent, we are invited to intentionally become aware of the truth of our beauty. We are urged to let go of unhelpful definitions and comparisons. Instead, we are invited to welcome God's grace, which makes us good enough and offers us life in abundance.

I have never forgotten watching a new parent hold their small child in their arms. The face of the parent glowing in awe as they look with loved-filled eyes and a deep, joyful smile at their child in their arms. This is a powerful picture of how God sees us. We are looked upon with the same intimacy and embraced in the arms of loving care as a parent does their child. The child is more than good enough – and so are we in God's arms!

Exercise:

Spend time today imagining you are held in God's arms as a parent holds a child. Notice the awe and affirming smile on God's face as you look into God's eyes. Can you see God's love-filled eyes? Take note of what your heart feels. What does this do to you emotionally? Speak to God about it.

Grace: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)