Monday, February 24th | take with you words

Photo: eltroubador

This Wednesday, February 26th, marks the start of Lent, the 40-day period in the church calendar when we remember the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

For the last few years, one way City Church has experienced Lent together is through devotionals—weekly reflections written by members of our church family.

We’re still doing a devotional this year, but we want to provide you with something that encourages and fosters contemplation, repentance, and prayer fitting to the season.

In the final chapter of Hosea, he says to Israel, “Take with you words and return to the lord.” We’re hoping this year’s devotional will give you words to do just that—words to reflect on all that God has done and is doing through Jesus for us, to turn your gaze toward Him. We’re doing that through: the words of poets, the word of God, and the words of your church family.

On Ash Wednesday, each Sunday through Lent, and then Maundy Thursday through Easter Sunday, we’ll share a poem paired with Scripture. We’ll begin with poems and Scripture that give voice (in one way or another) to what it means to be a broken-but-beloved human. Then, as we move into Holy Week, our focus will shift to Jesus’s last days before his death on the cross. Each piece also includes a prayer written by a member of the City Church community, guiding us through communal reflection and repentance.

Here’s how we suggest you work through each piece of this devotional:

1. Read the title. Let it set the tone for your time of contemplation, reflection, and prayer.

2. Read the poem. Read it again, if needed. (Poetry is hard sometimes; we know.)

3. Read the Scripture. Read that again, too, if you need to.

4. Think about how the poem and the Scripture relate to each other. How do they resonate with the broader experience of being a follower of Jesus? How do they resonate with you?

5. Pray the prayer.

6. Revisit the entry throughout the week. What has stuck with you? What is grabbing your attention now that didn’t during your first reading?

As you read and pray, we encourage you to do so aloud. Asking our brains and voices to work together tends to help us slow down.

This devotional is designed in a way that you can go through it on your own or with others. We encourage you to try both. But however you go about it, we hope you’ll take comfort in knowing that the fellow members of your church body are reading the same words and praying the same prayers—that we’re all using this devotional to slow down, be still, and engage with our God. May we all…

…soak up the truth of what it means to be beloved daughters and sons of God

…seek to recognize our sins and repent

…and meditate on the astounding truth that God sent his only Son to die for us so that we may have eternal life.

For now, take with you these words to prepare your hearts for the coming weeks:

Be silent.
Be still.
Alone.
Empty
Before your God.
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be silent.
Be still.
Let your God look upon you.
That is all.
God knows.
God understands.
God loves you
With an enormous love,
And only wants
To look upon you
With that love.
Quiet.
Still.
Be.

Let your God—
Love you.

(“Let Your God Love You” by Edwina Gateley)