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What a gift that we know the end of the story.
The heart of this Lenten season is to look ahead to Jesus, as we place ourselves in the shoes of those who waited with bated breath for his coming, his salvation and ultimately his resurrection. I can’t help but think that we today have an unfair advantage, knowing how it all ends.
However, knowing the end of the Great Story, that Jesus ultimately defeats Death—tearing the veil of separation between us and God—isn’t quite like being told a key movie plot point that ruins it completely for you. On the contrary, Jesus’ victory strengthens, refines and infiltrates every area of our stories that are unfolding by His grace day by day.
In today’s reading, the psalmist writes praising the Lord for His forgiveness. Not yet having tasted it through the death and resurrection of Jesus, David is still sure that “blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” This is the climax of the Great Story—the forgiveness of our sins—and ends with our nearness to God.
In my collegiate experience, I have often found myself tethered to burdens of procrastination, perfectionism and people-pleasing. Quickly I can feel I am drowning in stress and unmet expectations, my feelings of shame and disappointment pulling me further down. There in the water, thrashing and gasping and desperate for air—the hand of Jesus reaches out to me: “surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach me [emphasis added].”
In Joshua 4, the people of God are rescued from rushing waters too, crossing through the river Jordan on dry ground just as the Lord had promised them. They gather 12 stones, so that their children will remember what He did there. This act of remembrance, of holding on to the tangible symbol of God being good on His promises, is left as a reminder for generations to come: God is faithful to rescue His people. And we are rescued and made His people by the blood of Jesus.
With Easter on the horizon, may we posture our hearts to the truth of the Great Story that affects our stories day by day:
As you are in waters—they will recede. As you have sins—they are forgiven. As you are uncertain—rejoice! We know how it ends.
MELE GIRMA
Sophomore
Songwriting
The heart of this Lenten season is to look ahead to Jesus, as we place ourselves in the shoes of those who waited with bated breath for his coming, his salvation and ultimately his resurrection. I can’t help but think that we today have an unfair advantage, knowing how it all ends.
However, knowing the end of the Great Story, that Jesus ultimately defeats Death—tearing the veil of separation between us and God—isn’t quite like being told a key movie plot point that ruins it completely for you. On the contrary, Jesus’ victory strengthens, refines and infiltrates every area of our stories that are unfolding by His grace day by day.
In today’s reading, the psalmist writes praising the Lord for His forgiveness. Not yet having tasted it through the death and resurrection of Jesus, David is still sure that “blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” This is the climax of the Great Story—the forgiveness of our sins—and ends with our nearness to God.
In my collegiate experience, I have often found myself tethered to burdens of procrastination, perfectionism and people-pleasing. Quickly I can feel I am drowning in stress and unmet expectations, my feelings of shame and disappointment pulling me further down. There in the water, thrashing and gasping and desperate for air—the hand of Jesus reaches out to me: “surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach me [emphasis added].”
In Joshua 4, the people of God are rescued from rushing waters too, crossing through the river Jordan on dry ground just as the Lord had promised them. They gather 12 stones, so that their children will remember what He did there. This act of remembrance, of holding on to the tangible symbol of God being good on His promises, is left as a reminder for generations to come: God is faithful to rescue His people. And we are rescued and made His people by the blood of Jesus.
With Easter on the horizon, may we posture our hearts to the truth of the Great Story that affects our stories day by day:
As you are in waters—they will recede. As you have sins—they are forgiven. As you are uncertain—rejoice! We know how it ends.
MELE GIRMA
Sophomore
Songwriting
About this Plan
Again this year, through an intentional partnership between the College of Theology & Christian Ministry and the Office of University Ministries, we have been able to create and offer a Lenten Devotional Guide to help our campus community prepare for Easter.
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We are truly grateful for all of the individuals who have helped to make this fifth annual Lent and Holy Week guide a reality for our campus community, as it was indeed a campuswide collaboration that includes contributions from students, faculty and staff from across the campus, and even a few alumni. For more information, please visit: http://www.belmont.edu/
