Scripture (NRSV): Galatians 6:9
“So let us not grow weary in doing what is right…”
Reflection:
Weariness is real. It creeps in gradually. The effort of practicing love, speaking truth, choosing compassion, forgiving repeatedly — it can seem invisible. Progress feels slow. Results are uncertain. But formation is cumulative. Every choice to return to grace strengthens muscle memory in the soul. Every act of mercy rewires instinct. Every moment of courage adds another stone to the foundation.
But let’s be honest about the cost. The Sermon on the Mount isn’t the most efficient approach. Loving enemies takes longer than dismissing them. Removing the log from your own eye is harder than cataloging everyone else’s splinters. Peacemaking requires more patience than taking sides. You will lose the rush that comes from righteous anger. You will sacrifice the clarity of seeing the world in simple categories. You will give up the comfort of echo chambers that confirm what you already believe. But what you gain is a foundation that holds. A faith that can still follow Jesus’ way when the pressure is on.
We often want transformation to seem dramatic. But most change happens quietly. You might not notice yourself becoming more patient — until you respond differently in a tense conversation. You might not see yourself growing braver — until you speak when you once stayed silent. The question isn’t just theoretical anymore: What kind of faith do you want shaping your life? Not what kind you admire. Not what you inherited. The kind you’re willing to practice.
You are building something. You are becoming someone. Lent is not about self-punishment. It is about purposeful growth. It involves clearing away instability and strengthening what is grounded in love. Do not grow weary. Keep building. What is formed in hidden places will hold when it matters most.
Application:
Select one sustainable practice for Lent — something that will subtly guide you toward love.
Writing Prompt:
Who do you hope to become by Easter?
Prayer:
Faithful God,
strengthen me for the ongoing journey of becoming.
Shape me through grace.
Anchor me in love.
And keep forming in me a faith that reveals itself. Amen.