Day 4: Start, Stop, Continue

February 21, 2026

Day 4: Start, Stop, Continue

Day 4, February 21

by Michael Lovett

Readings:

Isa 58:9b-14

Luke 5:27-32

Reflection:

If you'd like to watch the video of this devotional, read the scriptures, then click HERE.

In Isaiah, I love analyzing God's part and our part. If we repent and bring righteousness, justice, and freedom to others, look at the impact:

God's part: He will say to us, "Here am I"... God is present with us in the work and suffering, in the good and bad. He will lift us up as we engage with the true work of fasting... to be present and work toward bringing righteousness on earth.

Our part: Stop oppressing others, burdening (putting a yoke) others, pointing fingers (shaming, blaming, judging); Spend ourselves on behalf of the needy, satisfy the needs of the oppressed. Take Sabbath seriously.

Impact: our light will shine, our darkness will become lighter and brighter. God will guide us, and satisfy our needs, we'll get new names like Wall-Repairer (an Old Testament image of protection and provision), or Restorer of Dwellings (making homes again for folks), and we find joy in Sabbath and doing life God's way. This is what liturgies do for us. They habituate us to God's joy.

In Luke, we see Jesus shooting straight: "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." We need to know what sin is and how we get tangled in it. Often, sin causes an impact we did not intend. We must give thought to our ways and humbly accept the truth of our impact. We must consider how we are sinners. This is not a pejorative, but an appropriate descriptor for someone who consistently misses the target. The target is love and righteousness. Let's be honest. We miss the target a lot. Thus, we are all sinners. So when Jesus said, "Oh, I didn't call you... the righteous [which you think you are]... I came to call sinners [who know they are].

Jesus was always more than happy to be with the folks that elitists wouldn't be caught dead with. This reading in Luke is a mic drop. Let's first focus on seeing our sin clearly and then love those who are struggling with sin as Jesus did.

Practically, consider implementing Sabbath in your home (for ideas, check out older and current podcasts) , or adding a layer of service to others to your sabbath. Sabbath (resting) actually charges our battteries so we have power to support sinners (folks who are struggling to love and do righteousness). Take significant time (set a timer) and sit in discernment, asking: What should I do today, Holy Spirit, in light of these scriptures?

Song:

Yield Not to Temptation, Al Green