Day 46: The Author of Order and Redemption: Finding My "Yes"
April 4, Holy Saturday
by Norma Flores Lovett
Readings:
Reflection:
The last 40 days of remembrance, as I have prepared my heart to commune with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, have made me reflect on many things:
Am I enough?
Am I worthy of Jesus’ sacrifice?
How can I ever repay Him?
The spiritual disciplines of silence, solitude, and contentment have helped me to respond with a resounding, "Yes!" I am enough. "Yes!" I am worthy. Lastly, no, there is nothing I can do to ever repay God for the mercy and grace He has extended to me in this life on earth.
God tells us in Genesis that He is the author of order and life, and He set the stage for the redemption that I have been seeking during the Lenten fast. I see in these scriptures the connection between Creation and Redemption, emphasizing that my relationship with God is based on His initiative rather than my repayment. God bought my freedom from bondage to sin and death by allowing Jesus to die on the cross for me. Jesus Christ’s blood is the grace I don’t deserve. This sacrifice delivered me, restores me, and transforms me from a slave of sin into God’s daughter.
Silence: In the first six days of the bible God is speaking. He is busy creating a beautiful Earth. On the 7th day, we know he rested, but did he stop speaking? Did he enjoy the beauty of his creation in silence? Taking time to be silent these last 40 days has not been easy, but it has gotten easier. During this silence, I have cried, rejoiced at a thought, thanked God for an ‘Aha’ moment, etc. I am eternally grateful to my husband because of his creativity and the way he pulls me along in his experiences.
Solitude: My practice of spending ‘alone’ time with God in the early mornings, just like Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb at dawn, has brought me to meaningful connection with God, where I am continually learning that there is a little void in my heart that only God can fill. It’s been nice to wake up and say, “Good morning God, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,” and then smile. It immediately makes me grateful for another day.
Contentment: In the Genesis reading, God declared it was ‘good’ and it was ‘very good.’ In the Matthew reading, ‘the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy…’ To me, that sounds like the women were relieved and content that Jesus had risen just like he said he would. Honestly, I wish an angel whose appearance was like lightning with clothes as white as snow would come and move a giant stone and sit there in all his glory, while I work in my yard and just talk to me. Sometimes that’s what I really want. I look forward to heaven one day, but reading God’s scripture, internalizing, sitting in silence in the dark hours of the morning, can sometimes bring a grown woman to tears in gratitude for all that my God has blessed me with.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before You with a quiet heart, humbled by Your love.
Looking back at the beginning in Genesis, I see that You are the author of all life and the creator of every good thing.
Father, I know that my own life hasn’t always reflected that goodness.
Lord, thank You for the season of Lent—for the silence and the space it gives me to realize how much I need You.
I give You all the glory for the ultimate sacrifice of Your Son. It’s overwhelming to think that Jesus took on the weight of my sins, trading his life for mine so that I could walk in freedom.
Just as the women found the empty tomb in the soft light of dawn, I find my hope in the Resurrection. Thank You for the contentment that comes from knowing the work is finished and that Jesus is alive. Because of His sacrifice, I don’t have to live in fear or striving; I can simply rest in Your grace.
In the name of Jesus, my Savior,
Amen.
Song:
Great Redeemer, cover by Jonathan Ogden (This is a YouTube version. I normally avoid this so your devotional time isn't interrupted by obnoxious ads. I made an exception because of the beauty of this version that is not available elsewhere)
Great Redeemer, Lucy Grimble
Content for wisdom and contentment at: urenuf.life
*NEW* Lent 2026 Playlist on Apple Music
Lent 2026 | urenuf.life podcast on Spotify
Comments
Post a Comment