Opening Ourselves to God for LENT
Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal - a time when we are called to turn away from our old ways and open ourselves to the presence of the Divine in our lives. It is a time to deepen our spiritual practices, to draw closer to God, and to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter.  As a pastor and spiritual seeker, I have always been drawn to the richness and depth of the Lenten journey. I believe that this season offers us a unique opportunity to open ourselves to the transformative power of the Divine and to experience true spiritual growth and renewal.

That is why I have written this companion devotional, "Opening Ourselves to God." This text offers a series of reflections on the weekly passages that are preached on during Lent, each one focuses on a different aspect of opening ourselves to the Divine Presence in our lives. It then offers suggested practices and one act of service that can help you open yourself to God. Through these reflections and practices, I hope to offer you a deeper understanding of the Lenten journey and a practical guide for how to draw closer to God during this sacred season.

Whether you are a lifelong Christian or a spiritual seeker from a any tradition, I believe that a Lenten practice can offer you valuable insights and guidance as you seek to deepen your spiritual practice and draw closer to the Divine. I invite you to join me on this journey of opening ourselves to God through these reflections, and I pray that this text will be a source of inspiration and guidance for you during this sacred season of Lent.
Week 1 - Opening to Temptation as an Invitation for Growth Matthew 4:1-11
In this passage, we see Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. Instead of turning away from temptation, Jesus engages with it and uses it as an opportunity for growth and transformation. He opens himself to the experience, and through it, he emerges stronger and more connected to his Father. Like Jesus, we too are often faced with temptation in our lives. It can be easy to give in to our desires and impulses, but what if we reframed our perspective and saw temptation as an invitation for growth? What if we saw it as an opportunity to deepen our connection with the Divine and become more aligned with our true purpose? When we open ourselves to temptation in this way, we can learn valuable lessons about our own limitations, desires, and motivations. We can develop greater self-awareness and discernment, and we can cultivate the strength and resilience we need to overcome future challenges. So, the next time you are faced with temptation, consider opening yourself to the experience and seeing it as an opportunity for growth. Ask God to guide you and show you the lessons you need to learn, and trust that you will emerge from the experience stronger and more connected to the Divine.
Here are some suggested practices for this week:
•Spend some time in silence or meditation, reflecting on the temptations you have faced in your lifeand how they have shaped you. Ask God to help you see these challenges as opportunities forgrowth and transformation.
•Choose one small temptation to resist this week, and reflect on how this practice helps you tobecome more aware of your inner life and your relationship with God.
•Choose an act of service that challenges you to step outside of your comfort zone, such asvolunteering at a homeless shelter or offering to help someone in need. Reflect on how this act ofservice can help you grow in your own resilience and empathy.

Week 2 - Opening to God's Possibilities, Being Grounded in the Divine, and Waiting Genesis 12:1-4
In this passage, we see God calling Abram to leave his homeland and go to a new land that God will show him. Abram does not know where he is going, but he trusts in God's guidance and follows the call. Like Abram, we too are often called to step into the unknown and trust in the Divine's guidance. It can be scary to leave the familiar and venture into the unknown, but when we ground ourselves in the Divine and open ourselves to God's possibilities, we can experience profound growth and transformation. But how do we do this? How do we stay grounded in the Divine and open to God's possibilities when we don't know what the future holds? One way is through the practice of waiting. Waiting can be difficult, but it can also be a powerful spiritual practice that helps us cultivate patience, trust, and surrender. When we wait in the Divine's presence, we open ourselves to the possibility that the Divine is working behind the scenes, preparing the way for us and guiding us on our journey.
So, if you are feeling called to step into the unknown and follow God's guidance, remember to stay grounded in the Divine and practice waiting in the presence of God. Trust that God is working for your highest good and that you will be guided to exactly where you need to be.
Here are some suggested practices for this week:
• Spend some time in nature, noticing the beauty and wonder around you. Ask God to help you see the world with fresh eyes and to be open to new possibilities.
• Make a list of the things that are weighing you down or holding you back. Ask God to help you release these burdens and to be open to the paths that God is calling you to follow.
• Choose an act of service that allows you to use your gifts and talents to benefit others, such as teaching a class or mentoring a young person. Reflect on how this act of service can help you see the ways in which God has uniquely equipped you to make a difference in the world.

Week 3: Opening Ourselves to Being Forgiven In John 4:5-42,
we read about the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. At first, the woman is surprised that Jesus, a Jewish man, would speak to her, a Samaritan, and a woman, but Jesus offers her living water, which will quench her thirst forever. As the conversation continues, Jesus reveals to the woman that he knows all about her past, including her many husbands and her current situation. Rather than judging or condemning her, however, Jesus offers her forgiveness and a path to new life. This encounter is a powerful reminder that no matter what we have done or where we have been, God offers us the gift of forgiveness and the opportunity for new beginnings. Like the Samaritan woman, we may feel ashamed or unworthy of this gift, but Jesus assures us that we are loved and accepted just as we are. During Lent, we are invited to reflect on our own lives and to honestly confront the ways in which we have fallen short of our own ideals and God's calling. This can be a difficult and humbling process, but it is also a necessary step on the path to forgiveness and renewal. As we open ourselves to the possibility of forgiveness, we are called to trust in God's grace and to let go of our own guilt and shame. We are also called to extend this same grace and forgiveness to others, recognizing that we are all imperfect and in need of mercy.
May we open ourselves to being forgiven, and may the grace of God wash over us, renewing us and setting us on a path of new life and hope. Amen.
Here are some suggested practices for this week:
• Spend some time in prayer or meditation, reflecting on the ways in which you have hurt others or fallen short of your own ideals. Ask God to help you see yourself with compassion and to offer yourself forgiveness.
• Reach out to someone who you have hurt or who has hurt you, and offer or ask for forgiveness. Reflect on how this act of grace can bring healing and reconciliation to your relationships. This is also an act of service for this week.

Week 4 - Opening to New Sight, to Seeing God Everywhere John 9:1-41
In this passage, we see Jesus healing a man who was born blind. When the man's sight is restored, he sees the world for the first time, he sees all of life in a new way, and he recognizes Jesus as a prophet. Like the blind man, we too can experience new sight when we open ourselves to the Divine. When we allow ourselves to see the world through the eyes of the Christ, we start to see God's presence everywhere - in the beauty of nature, in the kindness of others, and even in our own struggles and challenges. But how do we cultivate this new sight? One way is through the practice of mindfulness - of being fully present and aware in each moment. When we are mindful, we can see God in even the most mundane or ordinary aspects of our lives. We can appreciate the small blessings and moments of grace that might otherwise go unnoticed. So, if you want to open yourself to new sight and see God everywhere, try practicing mindfulness in your daily life. Take time to appreciate the beauty around you, notice the kindness of others, and be fully present in each moment. With time and practice, you will start to see the world in a new way and recognize the Divine presence all around you.
Here are some suggested practices for this week:
• Choose a spiritual practice that is new to you, such as yoga, centering prayer, or mindfulness meditation. Reflect on how this new practice helps you to see yourself and the world in a new light.
• Spend some time in silence or meditation, noticing the details of the world around you that you might normally overlook. Reflect on how this practice helps you to see the Divine in all things.
• Choose an act of service that challenges you to see the world from a different perspective, such as volunteering with an organization that serves a population different from your own. Reflect on how this act of service can help you see the Divine in all people, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Week 5 - Opening to Waiting, to the Blessing of Patience Psalm 130
In this Psalm, the writer cries out to God from the depths of despair, and yet they also express a deep sense of hope and trust in the Divine's mercy and forgiveness. They know that even in the darkest moments, God is still present and working for their highest good. But how do we cultivate this kind of trust and patience when we are in the midst of waiting? One way is through the practice of gratitude - of being thankful for the blessings that we do have, even in the midst of difficulty. When we focus on what we are grateful for, we open ourselves to the possibility of new blessings and opportunities that we might otherwise miss. We can also cultivate patience by practicing self-compassion - by being gentle and kind with ourselves even when things are not going as planned. We can remind ourselves that waiting is a natural part of the process, and that God is working behind the scenes, even when we cannot see it. So, if you are in a season of waiting, remember to practice gratitude and self-compassion. Trust that the Divine is working for your highest good, and that new blessings and opportunities are on the way.
Here are some suggested practices for this week:
• Choose one thing that you have been impatiently waiting for, and practice letting go of the desire for immediate gratification. Reflect on how waiting can be a gift, allowing us to grow in patience, trust, and surrender.
• Spend some time in prayer or meditation, reflecting on the ways in which waiting has been a part of your spiritual journey. Ask God to help you see the blessings and opportunities that waiting can bring.
• Choose an act of service that involves supporting someone who is in a season of waiting, such as visiting a sick or elderly person, or volunteering with a hospice organization. Reflect on how this act of service can help you develop empathy and patience, and deepen your trust in God's timing.

Week 6 - Opening to the Truth of the Christ Holy Week
In this final week of Lent, we turn our attention to the ultimate truth of the Christ - that he is the embodiment of God's love and mercy, and that through him, we can experience true transformation and healing. But how do we open ourselves to this truth? One way is through the practice of surrender - of letting go of our own agendas and ideas, and opening ourselves to the guidance of the Divine. We can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and reveal to us the truth of the Christ, and we can trust that we will be shown what we need to see. We can also cultivate an attitude of humility and openness, recognizing that we do not have all the answers, and that there is always more to learn and discover about Christ. So, if you want to open yourself to the truth of the Christ, remember to practice surrender, humility, and openness. Trust that the Holy Spirit is working in your life, and that the truth of the Christ will be revealed to you in ways that you may not expect.
Here are some suggested practices for this week:
• Attend a Holy Week service, such as a Maundy Thursday service or a Good Friday service. Reflect on the ways in which the events of Holy Week help us to see the truth of the Christ more clearly.
• Spend some time in prayer or meditation, asking God to help you see the Christ in yourself and in others. Reflect on how this practice can help you to live more fully into your own Christ-likeness.
• Choose an act of service that involves sharing the love of Christ with others, such as volunteering with a food pantry or offering to pray with someone who is struggling. Reflect on how this act of service can help you live out your faith in practical ways, and bring the light of Christ into the world.

Bonus Week 7 - Opening Ourselves to Resurrection Life Matthew 28:1-10
Throughout the week, allow yourself to remain open to the ways in which God is present and active in the world around you. Look for signs of resurrection life in the people you encounter, the natural world, and in your own heart. Trust that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in and through you, and be open to the ways in which God might be inviting you to participate in the ongoing work of resurrection and new life.
Here are some suggested practices as you go about being an Easter person in this world:
• Read Matthew 28:1-10 and reflect on what the resurrection means for your life. Consider how the resurrection of Christ gives us hope for new beginnings and transformation.
• Practice gratitude by reflecting on the ways in which God has brought new life and growth in your life. Consider creating a list of blessings you have received, or writing a letter of gratitude to someone who has played a role in your journey of faith.
• Practice hospitality by offering a warm welcome to someone new, inviting a friend over for a meal, or volunteering in a new way. Reflect on how the resurrection of Christ calls us to extend love and hospitality to those around us.
• Practice contemplation by spending time in prayer or meditation, reflecting on the ways in which God is at work in your life and the world. Consider how the resurrection of Christ invites us to be more fully present to the Divine in our everyday lives.
• Practice generosity by giving of your time, resources, or talents to support the church, a cause, and/or another organization that aligns with your values. Reflect on how the resurrection of Christ calls us to be people who bring new life and hope to the world around us.