by Sarah Hammersborg
Second Sunday in Lent Sunday, March 13
Psalm 27:1-7
God Is with You
A few years ago, I served as a chaperone for a youth group outing to the Ape Cave in southwest Washington. The Ape Cave is a one and a half-mile lava tube that you can hike through from one end to the other. When we went down into the cave, it was pitch black inside! I was so thankful for the flashlight I carried to help illuminate the way, reveal the boulders and other obstacles, so I could navigate the long way through the cave. Reading this passage, I was reminded how comforting and necessary the light was for that adventure. The Lord is our light as he helps us navigate through life, revealing the way. He also is the light in bringing comfort by showing what may be ahead. God is with us through our difficulties. Lord, be my light, guiding me through life’s journey. Illuminate the way and keep me close to you. Amen.
Monday, March 14
Psalm 27:7-14
Trusting and Waiting
I wish I were a patient person, but patience is a fruit of the Spirit that is still being nurtured and cultivated in me. I like to jump to action and make happen whatever needs to be done. Waiting and trusting can be very difficult for me. However, it helps me to remember the character of God, that he is with us and protects and guides us. And we can come to him. Verse 14 is a reminder to wait for the Lord. We wait for the Lord. We wait when it is difficult. We wait when we are weak. We wait, knowing that God’s goodness will be revealed. What are you waiting for in your life? Maybe it is something in your family, your community, or personally. You may be waiting for a reconciled relationship or a job change. You may be waiting for justice and mercy to reign. Be strong and let your heart take courage! Know that God’s character and goodness will not fail. God, grant me patience in the waiting, trusting in your mercy and goodness. Amen.
Tuesday, March 15
Psalm 39:4-7
Our Hope Is in God
I recently began working as a hospice chaplain. Each day I visit people as they are nearing the end of their life to help support them and their families. I am privileged to enter into sacred spaces to help process matters of life and death. Life’s purpose and worth becomes concentrated when one’s days on earth are coming closer and closer to an end. I have patients who struggle with a lack of purpose now that their body is failing. Their measure of worth is by contributing in some way to society. They want to give up because they are unable to do that anymore. Other patients have adapted to the ever-changing condition of a failing body and see the purpose they can still bring, even when it isn’t as it used to be. There is hope. Our hope is in God, which brings purpose and meaning to us. My hope is in you, God, through all the days of my life. Amen.
Wednesday, March 16
Genesis 15:1-6
Talking with God
I love this dialogue between Abram and God. Abram doesn’t just receive the information from God. He responds by naming the difficulties in his situation and how it is hard for him to believe the promise. Abram’s current situation and trajectory were not headed in the direction of what God was promising. In response, God gave him a visible sign of the promise: the stars. I have had similar conversations with God naming what seemed unfair and unjust. I have doubted and sometimes still doubt that God’s promises will prevail on earth. I want to trust, but I have trouble doing so at times. This passage brings comfort knowing I can talk with God. Have you ever found yourself wanting to bring God the difficulties of your situation? Has it been hard to believe in God’s promises? Abram talked with God and you can too. God, hear my prayers and listen to my concerns as I bring them to you. Amen.
Thursday, March 17
Psalm 3
God Is Our Protector
I remember saying to my husband on New Year’s Eve, 2019, “I really hope that 2020 is a good year.” I needed a good year. The previous few years had each had a unique and difficult situation. I was feeling worn down as grief and loss was piling up. And we all know how 2020 turned out. This psalm talks about the threats David faced. Most of us do not have an army pursuing us! But we have other adversities that bring us down. Through all the difficulties through the years, I imagined myself in the protection of God’s care. Verse 3 says, “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.” God is our protection when we are down or threatened. God will lift up our head when life is overwhelming. Thank you, Lord, that you are our protector. Keep us close to you as we face adversities and hardships that may bring us down. Amen.
Friday, March 18
Philippians 3:7–4:1
Remember To Whom You Belong
In my job as a hospice chaplain, I wear a name badge. It identifies me as an employee of the hospice for whom I work and identifies my role. As I enter a home to meet a patient and their family, or as I go to an assisted living facility, people can see who I am by the badge I wear. The nurses and aides I work with also wear scrubs with our company name on them. As we are out serving the community, we have a responsibility to live into our roles that we are identified by. Paul is calling us to live as citizens of heaven, as ones who belongs to Jesus. We do so together living into that identity because it is God who transforms us. As you live your life, do so imagining an ID badge identifying you as a follower of Jesus. God, may we together live into our identity as your children. May our lives reflect you through our actions and our interactions with all we meet. Amen.
Saturday, March 19
Psalm 101:1-4
Rhythm of Life
Many years ago, I wrote a Rule of Life (or Rhythm of Life) for a cohort project I was doing. I have used it over the years and edited it as life circumstances have changed. My Rule of Life included practices to help me in my walk with Jesus. My heart’s desire is to live the life God has called me to live. Psalm 101 is a rhythm of life. It identifies what it is important and practices to help us live that out. Since the years of developing my Rule of Life project, I also begin each year putting goals in place that will help me continue to live out God’s call in my life. Take time in prayer to put before you the direction God is calling you to go. What practices or rhythms will help you as you walk that journey? Lord, as we seek to follow you, may you guide our steps and help set the path before us. Amen.
About the Author: Sarah Hammersborg
