Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
What if someone else could look at our lives from a vantage point outside of ourselves? Let’s say they could video tape our every move and our every word. What would they find? Would they hear us bad mouthing our neighbor? Would they see us worshiping something other than our Triune God? They might be able to help us realize that our golden statue is something more like materialism. Or maybe it is winning a battle at all costs with little regard for larger outcomes.
In a very different way, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are aware of the consequences of their defiance of the royal command. They stay true to their belief that they must worship only their God. What might our lives look like if we maintained a true discipleship to both the Word and the teachings of our faith? Would our lives be transformed, if so how?
Jesus called the ones who claimed to be disciples to transform themselves to be true disciples. Jesus stood steadfast in this call. Conversely, it was the pseudo disciples who were disobeying God’s royal command. By failing to recognize their own enslavement, they were worshiping and serving a golden statue of their own making. How is Jesus calling us to worship and serve Him alone? Consider one specific way that you can become a more authentic disciple.
Lord, you are constantly blessing us with opportunities to remain faithful in both worship and service. Call us through this Lenten season to a deeper awareness of our enslavements; so that we might come to give glory and praise to you the one who already set us free. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
-Michael Montgomery