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Journey to Jerusalem Day 24

Friday, March 12 Romans 7:21-25
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.


A favorite song from summer camp begins this way: “I stand to praise you, but I fall on my knees. The spirit is willing, but my flesh is so weak.” I think of this song often in times of temptation and in times of failure. I have a strong feeling that it will be my swan song at the end of my days.


Lent is a time to push aside our normal allowances and focus on at least one weakness that separates us from closer communion with our Creator. It is a difficult cutting away and reworking of the heart to discipline our habits and natures, but our “success” depends very little on our own willpower. Our true strength is in the power to surrender.


The song continues: “I feel your arms around me as the power of your healing begins. Your Spirit moves through me like a mighty rushing wind.” In these bodies, we will never be completely rid of these flaws, but it is a beautiful thing to experience the transforming power of God’s Spirit on this side of Heaven.


Allow your weakness to be a cautionary flag to alert you to the need for change rather than a banner of your shame. Remember, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; there is only freedom.
Pray the words of the chorus with me.

Lord, light the fire in my soul. Fan the flame. Make me whole. Lord you know just where I’ve been. So, light the fire in my heart again.
Amen.