Daily Bread March 31

Find Life in Surprising Places, Part 2
Janne Grover, Council of Twelve Apostles


What is the spiritual attitude, trajectory, and focus of our lives? Are we enthusiastically on our way to Jesus in the priorities, character, and vision of our discipleship? As Community of Christ, are we listening and moving together toward Jesus in our relationships and concerns? -Stephen M. Veazey, “Discover Your Future”

The wilderness can feel like a threatening place. Perhaps we equate the wilderness with testing, uncertainty, and suffering. Scripture testifies of this through the journey of Israel and the story of Jesus. The Israelites’ liberation from oppression and slavery led them to years of testing, uncertainty, and suffering in the wilderness. Following sacrament of water and spirit, Jesus was led into the wilderness for long days of personal trial and suffering. We find wilderness testing in our own journey as individuals and as community. The challenges before the church can feel like a wilderness of testing and uncertainty as we see once-thriving congregations decline and close. It is easy to be consumed by hopelessness and despair when overwhelmed by wilderness circumstances beyond our control.

The wilderness is also a place of formation, revelation, and new life. The Israelites received unexpected manna to satisfy their hunger, and water from a stone to quench their thirst. Jesus’ experience in the wilderness formed in him a deeper awareness of divine purpose and strength. Could our wilderness journey be any different?

Lenten Reflection Questions:

  • How has this journey through Lent connected you with the stories of your biblical and spiritual ancestors?
  • How does our own wilderness time, personally and communally, form us in a deeper awareness of divine purpose and strength?

Prayer Phrase

Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?

Lenten Spiritual Practices

Moving Toward the Peaceful One

As Jesus was nearing the final days of his life, he wept over the city and proclaimed, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace” (Luke 19:41-42).What are the things that make for peace in our lives, communities, and around the world? During the Lenten season, spend time in silent refection or journaling each day to notice: Am I moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One? Pay attention to your attitudes, actions, and relationships this day. When did you most embody the peaceful One in your daily living? When were your thoughts or actions contrary to the peace of Jesus Christ? How might Jesus, the peaceful One, who is always near to you, be inviting you to draw nearer to him through your daily living?

Fasting and Giving-$40 in 40 Days

A Lenten fast gives us an opportunity to make space in our lives so that God can live in and through us.  It’s a time to evaluate what we hunger for most and what we consume. This year, we’ve been invited to tithe as a spiritual practice by setting aside $40 during the 40 days of Lent. If you are participating, pay attention today to the dollar you have given. What might you have done with that dollar otherwise? How does Lenten generosity invite you to reflect on what is “enough” in your life? Who might you invite to join you in this practice? How might your gift be magnified by the many others responding to the same call?

You can make your $40 offering anytime during the Lenten season online or through your offering envelope for Worldwide Mission Tithes.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

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