Good morning, and welcome to this season of Lent! Over the next six weeks, we will journey together through this Lenten season as we read devotionals written by our own students, faculty, staff, and campus ministers.
Today’s devotional comes to us from Cindy Rodriguez. Cindy serves as the Administrative Assistant in the Office or Religious and Spiritual Life. For over 20 years, Cindy is the person who makes sure you receive our Lenten devotional emails each year and that our devotionals are accessible year-round on our website. On a personal note, Cindy happens to be the glue that holds our office together. She has made the work of the Religious and Spiritual Life office possible. She announced to our staff earlier this year she will be retiring this coming summer. While this is so well deserved, and her grandchildren are quite excited to have the extra time with “grandma,” she will leave big shoes to fill, and certainly be missed in our office and across campus. It seems fitting that Cindy’s reflection is the first of our Lenten devotionals this year. May her words to speak to you today as you begin your Lenten journey.
Isaiah 40:31
“They that who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
My Mom was a woman of great faith. Growing up I don’t know how many times I heard the phrase, “leave it in God’s hands.” Her hope in God was her trust that no matter the situation, God was strong enough to help carry the load and in turn renew her own strength. Mom knew that all things would happen as they should if she kept her faith and hope in God. The circumstances of life can make us weary. Work, family, health, and finances in our daily lives not to mention all things happening in the world right now. It’s a wonder we can get ourselves going every day. I remind myself (with Mom’s voice in my head) that God does not grow weary. Our strength will come from him if we have hope.
As we go into the Lenten season we remind ourselves that God sent his Son to carry our burdens and take them with him to the cross so that we can be free of those burdens. We reflect on our lives and wait with hope that the Lord will renew our strength so that we can fly like the eagles high above the struggles of our daily lives. Just remember to leave it in God’s hands.
Let us pray.
God of all things be with us as we begin our Lenten journey. Help us to wait patiently and trust in you to guide us as we face life’s difficulties knowing that you are our strength and our refuge.
We give you thanks for your grace and mercy that we know surrounds us and the forty days ahead.
We ask all these things in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen
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