resilience | lent devotions

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1, NIV

Some of you have talked about this last year as “tomb time” because you haven’t been able to see what God is doing. But the tomb of Jesus tells us God is always at work to turn what is meant for evil to good.

It is significant that Jesus took nothing with him when he left the tomb. He had finished with his grave clothes so he left them folded. He didn’t carry with him the things that signified loss, death, or the past. He walked into his resurrected future with power and purpose.

God has been speaking to many of you about things you need to take off, lay down, and leave behind, just like the grave clothes. For some of you that may be ministries you need to let go of. For others it is unhelpful habits or relationships you need to walk away from. Others need to recognise you have burdened yourselves with things you are not meant to carry. Some of you need to find your identity in Christ, not in the validation you receive from other people or your status in the church or the world.

These things burden you, and God wants you to lay them down and leave them behind. You can’t bring healing and liberty to others if you haven’t received it for yourself. Be resilient. Allow him to crucify whatever is in you that doesn't fulfill his purposes. Because he has something better. He is in the business of resurrecting you.

Let's pray
Lord, I give you myself again today. Thank you for my life. Thank for the plans and purpose you have for me. Thank you that you want to release me from things I don’t need to carry, to re-calibrate and redirect me. Have your way, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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