For Lent, I am walking us through a book called Apprenticeship With Jesus. You can follow along by reading my highlights and reflections. Extensive previews of the book,
including excerpts, can be found through Google Books and Amazon, as well as eBook purchasing options.
Day 26: Working With The Proper Light
– “Let it be the most important thing we do, then, to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ” – Thomas a’Kempis
– “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” – Leonard Cohen
– “I believe that apprentices to Jesus are learning to work in and with the light that comes pouring through the brokenness in their lives.”
Our youngest daughter, Joy, was born with a cleft lip and a cleft palate. As she has grown older we have also discovered that she has other medical issues such as scoliosis, strabismus, and a hernia. All of these conditions have required surgery or extensive care. Both my wife and I have suffered as we seek to care for her and help with her development. We have had moments where we have cried out to God and wondered if there was much more that we could take. Though it has been rough, I can tell you that we both have grown closer to God and that we have learned very valuable lessons such as trust, prayer, and sacrifice. God really does shine through the cracks in our life.
Apprentice Activity: Working With the Proper Light
– Read verses that refer to Jesus as light: John 8:12; John 12:46; Matt. 17:12
– Read verses that refer to us as “children of light”: John 12:36; Eph. 5:8; I Thess. 5:5
– Find a song or singer that puts you in touch with some element of emotional pain in your life. Let the song play several times.
– Invite God to shine through the cracks
– Make Eph. 5:8 your prayer for the day.
– Read Colossians 3: 1-17 and then ponder verse 12 – 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Why do people like sad movies? My mom only seems to enjoy a movie that makes her cry and I only seem to enjoy songs that are about loss and pain. The chapter today talks about the cracks in our lives being the space where God’s light shines through. Maybe that is what is going on with me when I listen to a sad song. Perhaps the song is touching a part of me that only God can truly reach and my soul is searching for the light of God by drawing me towards these emotional songs.
If you want to hear a playlists of some of my favorite sad and emotional songs you can go here. Notice how a few songs discuss pain and hope in God at the same time. These are some of my favorite themes in a song lyric.
What is Jesus teaching me? I want to make this week special. I want to be intentional about recognizing and celebrating Holy Week. I am anxious to pursue some other things to read and discover but I am holding back so that this week, I can give more of my attention to thinking about Jesus and his sacrifice for me.
Why does there seem to be more of an enthusiasm from Christians over Christmas rather than Easter? What do you do to practice Holy Week?
Grow Up Blog 