Listen

If anyone else has reason to put their confidence in physical advantages, I have even more:

I was circumcised on the eighth day.
I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin.
I am a Hebrew of the Hebrews.
With respect to observing the Law, I’m a Pharisee.
With respect to devotion to the faith, I harassed the church.
With respect to righteousness under the Law, I’m blameless.

These things were my assets, but I wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ.

Philippians 3:4b-7

Think

Take a second to think about some of the awesome things you’ve done or accomplished in your life: did you earn an A on a test at school? Get the fastest time at your swim meet? Try out and make the school band? Get into the college you wanted? Finally complete that hard task you’ve been working on? We all like to think about the great things we’ve done. It feels good to be proud of the goals we’ve reached!

Even today’s scripture shows Paul listing out all his awesome accomplishments and why he’s the best of the best. But at the end of his list, he is careful to remind us that despite all the cool things he’s done, the most important thing is knowing Jesus. And, not just knowing things about Jesus, but knowing Jesus in a really close way, like you would a good friend.

Erin Spengeman Hutchison

Pray

God, I want to spend time with you during Lent. Help me to sit with Jesus a little each day so that we can grow closer, like good friends. Amen.

Go

Know that Christ is alongside you, arm in arm like a good friend.

Christ is behind you, helping you.

Christ is ahead of you, showing you the way.

Christ is below you, carrying your worry.

Christ is above you, illuminating your path.

Christ is within you, for you are his home.