Lent
February 14, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 4:1-13

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
   and serve only him.”’ –Luke 4:5-7

Worship and serve are two active verbs requiring action not lip service. Yet lip service is what I am hearing a lot of lately. I think it would be really hard to be faithful to a commitment to Jesus Christ when one is on the front page of the paper as a politician or sports figure or other celebrity. Some of them are made idols themselves by others. This is particularly true in this season of campaigning where one’s faith becomes a  card used to win voters.

One doesn’t have to be well known to become caught in this struggle. We all deal with putting God first in our lives. We sometimes reduce God to a being that supports our own viewpoints, thus creating God in our desired image. We, too, can serve God to our own interest. Believing our church activities might look good on a resume’.

Like athletes we need to hone our skills at being God followers before we step onto the playing court or field. We must be so in tune with God that our worship and service is the right automatic response because many times in the game of life we do not have time to ponder situations. Lent is a time designed to prepare us for the game of life with all its challenges. We must devote time in study and prayer getting ourselves in the best spiritual shape possible.

Prayer: Lord, walk with me throughout Lent as I strive to improve my readiness for service to you. Amen.

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.