Pause

During Lent, we consider our relationship with the Holy One. We are but dust, yet made in the image of God.

It is two sides of the same coin. We are significant and beloved in God’s eyes, but who do we think we are to stand in the presence of the Almighty and ask for anything?

At God’s request and in God’s mercy, we enter into a covenant relationship. The unconditional love we experience in that relationship compels us to trust God with every fiber of our being.

Listen

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!

“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek.

Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!

If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.

Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

Psalm 27:7-11

Think

My kids love to play hide and seek tag. That means you hide until you want to make a run for base. If you’re tagged on the way to base, then you’re out. But if you run from your hiding place and safely make it back to base, then whoever is It has to keep seeking. There are usually accusations of rule-breaking and cheating if someone has to be It for too many turns.

The beautiful thing about being in a covenant relationship with God is that God never tires of seeking us out and chasing us down. We run, we hide, and God relentlessly pursues us.

Even the humans we adore the most will occasionally let us down, break the rules, and break our trust. God shows us a different way to be in relationship with one another – mutually serving, giving each other the place of honor.

Valerie Burton

Pray

I bow my head before you, O God, not to hide from you but in awe of your loving kindness toward me. In all my relationships, help me to demonstrate your love and mercy with kindness and compassion. Amen.

Go

I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)