This post is one in a series of devotionals written by Lutherans in the U.S. and LWR staff around the world reflecting on their faith, which calls them to proclaim hope for those in need. Check out the other devotionals in the series.
As we walk through the season of Lent together, announce to the world that the Hope of Christ makes a new season possible – a SEASON OF HOPE. Join us by energizing your congregation for global good through activities and service opportunities that connect us to our brothers and sisters in need around the world. Click here to get started.
Luke 1:26-38
“Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” — Luke 1:38 (NRSV)
In the story of the Annunciation, Mary declares herself to be “the servant of the Lord” and courageously accepts God´s will in difficult times, when saying yes to the Lord meant losing your life. It is a great example of faith, love, obedience and humility.
Mary invites us to follow her son, even with all our sins and difficulties. It doesn’t matter what condition we find ourselves in, because having Jesus in our lives means having a steadfast hope that God has an immense love for us and will lead us out of our desert.
In this season of Lent, when Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days before beginning his remarkable ministry of hope, let us take a journey of introspection toward hope, too. Let us journey inside ourselves and identify all those things that take us away from God, even though God never leaves our side. Let us resolve to change our lives with the certainty that Jesus will never come down off the cross, that he is always there for us, because of the immense love he has for us.
I remember the thoughts of a contemporary spiritual writer, who said that faith isn’t just about feeling God´s presence or his will in our lives, it’s about offering ourselves to God without hesitation. What that means is different for all of us. For that writer, it was like tracking a star through the darkness without knowing where it would lead. It comes down to being called to follow and trust in God in the midst of our everyday chaos even though we don’t know where that will take us.
It’s like Mary! This is what true faith looks like.
How is the faith that you live every day like that?
Prayer
Thank you, God, for allowing us to live another day. Each day is a new opportunity to grow nearer to you and to fill ourselves with your immense love, your infinite kindness and your great mercy.
Claudia Pineda serves as a Program Manager for LWR in Nicaragua, where she and the LWR-Nicaragua team work with farmers and partners to improve livelihoods, build resilience to climate change and promote water conservation and crop diversification.
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