Lent 2014
March 29, 2014
Read Scripture: John 1:1-9
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it….The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. — John 1:1-5, 9
It is a good to remember why we are here in the first place. Why we take these few moments each day to remember to pull ourselves together toward the wholeness God desires for each of us and all of us. In these few short verses, the book of John takes us all the way back to creation assuring us that we are of God, the very source of life. In the midst of these dark days of Lent when all seems lost, we are reminded that God created light in the world and gave us the gift of enlightenment through his Son Jesus Christ.
There is nothing more precious than being present at that moment when a child gains understanding. Years ago I was sharing a cup of coffee with a friend as her kindergarten aged son lay on his stomach across the living room carpet with a big green pencil gripped tightly in his hand. His whole body was invested in perfecting whatever it was he was writing. Suddenly he laid the pencil to the side and pounding his fists into the carpet, crying out, “I got it, I got it, I got it.” He popped up and turned in one swift move handing his mother the masterpiece about which she was equally thrilled. I got to see it, too. He had written his full name and address with the “n’s” all pointing in the right direction.
Every child has the right to experience the joy of enlightenment. As people of God’s life and light we have a responsibility to assure that every child has avenues to grow and learn in spirit and in truth, that they have green or purple or orange pencils and plenty of paper on which to write or perhaps a digital tablet, and that they have someone to appreciate their efforts.
Prayer: God of Enlightenment, make us conduits of your light for all the children of the world. Amen.
The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.