The Upward Way

Thank you! In a busy life, in a chaotic world, with disease and division circling nearer, you are making the time to read our church’s newsletter. And you aren’t just skimming through the announcements and current events, you are actually reading the devotional article.

Lent was made for folks like you.

Many of us want to arrive at spiritual higher ground, but the journey is not easy. Getting there takes steps, and the steps are uphill. They take effort and time. Some of the hardest steps are steps of following Jesus, steps of trusting Jesus, steps of receiving grace and forgiveness from above. Lent reminds us that discipleship is an upward way.

This Lent, I’m pondering the words of that favorite hymn, Higher Ground:

I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;

Still praying as I’m onward bound,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

What should we pray this Lent? For a smoother, more level path? For fewer distractions along the way? For four wheel drive? If the author of Higher Ground is correct, the best prayer is that God will help each step land a little higher than the one before, until we have been raised to the higher plane that God intends.

As I look to the future, I keep my prayer simple. This Lent, I’m praying daily that God will help me live and think a little more like Jesus than the day before.

May you be blessed this season of Lent, and may today be an upward journey.

In Christ,

Zach