Lent devotions

Week 1

God’s greatest gift

By John Powell

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

— Romans 5:8 (New International Version)

I scoured websites, researched products, read labels and compared brands. I walked back and forth across the mall, up and down countless aisles and in and out of many stores and specialty shops — all in an effort to find that one perfect gift.

Why? So I could see my son’s eyes grow wide and his jaw drop. I loved him so much. I wanted to hear him gasp and ask with amazement, “You did this? For me?”

Can’t you imagine that God might feel the same excitement over our reactions to His great gifts? It’s why God paints the sunrises and sunsets in glorious hues of orange and lavender. It’s why He places a rainbow among darkened clouds and puts a song in the sparrow’s throat. It’s why He put a sweet fragrance in the rose and snow upon the mountains.

It’s also why He offers pardon to those who are guilty and grace to those who are condemned. It’s why He put a Savior on a cruel cross — so we could climb that rugged hill, look upon the scene and with wide eyes and amazement exclaim, “You did this? For me?”

God wants each of us to experience these feelings of love and worth. At Habitat for Humanity, as we improve living conditions, provide clean water and offer relief after disasters, we demonstrate God’s extravagant love.

We are privileged to be a part of God’s work in the lives of individuals around the world every day.

Romans 5:5 tells us that God’s love has been poured out into our hearts. During this Lenten season, when we focus on “agape” love that calls us to act selflessly for the well-being of others, let us be thankful that we are recipients of God’s greatest gift. Then, let us show that gratitude by serving others.

Prayer

Jesus, in this season of the cross, we are grateful to You for showing unconditional love toward us when we did not deserve it. Help us to pour out the love You have put in our hearts to help others. As employees and supporters of Habitat, help us, in this season and always, to show Your love, which is pure, unconditional and filled with grace. Amen.

Questions

1. In what circumstance have you recently praised God because He did something so amazing for you?
2. The words “love” and “charity” often are interchangeable in the Bible. Do these words have different meanings to you? Why do you think love is called “the greatest of these?”
3. In John 13:34-35, we are commanded to love one another so that the world will know we are disciples of Jesus. How does this commandment guide you when giving or volunteering? How does it guide you in dealing with coworkers and volunteers as you go about your daily routine at Habitat?

John Powell is a senior graphic designer for Habitat for Humanity International and works in the Americus, Georgia, office.

Forty positive actions for Lent

Rather than focusing on what you might “give up” for Lent, consider how you can build up the kingdom of God and draw nearer to God through specific, positive actions.

Week 2

Simple ways to offer hope

By Sherry Eiler

“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. ... All the widows stood around [Peter], crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ She opened her eyes and, seeing Peter, she sat up.”

— Acts 9:36-37, 39-40 (New International Version)

At the church I attended as a child, the pastor’s wife was named Dorcas. She is the only Dorcas I have ever known. My memory of her is much like the woman described in Acts 9. She was very dedicated to the youth in our church — including my three brothers. She considered them all her children, and I remember that she often opened her home to them.

In our Scripture, we read that the Dorcas that Peter knew was a disciple full of love for Jesus. She showed that love to the widows in her community by sewing clothes for them. She was a humble example of how you can use your talents to serve God by providing for the needs of others.

Each of us has been given talents and abilities that we can use to serve. For example, I have a personal passion for the homeless. Many of those who live on the street suffer from mental illnesses, and I know firsthand what pain that can cause. My father suffered from a mental illness for over 40 years. My mother was a faithful, giving wife, and my father always had a home, but for many of the mentally ill, that is not the case.

When I travel to Atlanta for work, I try to have many dollar bills on me, along with a tract that tells about God’s love. When homeless people approach me, I can offer them hope. The opportunity to bring hope is also why I give to Habitat for Humanity from each paycheck. Habitat’s first mission principle is to demonstrate the love of God in action. Dorcas shows us clearly that we can do that in specific ways, according to the gifts we have been given.

During this season of Lent, let us follow the example of Dorcas as we focus on the kind of “agape” love that calls us to act selflessly for the well-being of others.

Prayer

Dear Lord, make us mindful of the gifts You have given to us and the passions that You have placed on our hearts to help others. Help us to be faithful in serving You. Let us open our hearts to reach out to those who do not know You. Amen.

Questions

1. Do you possess a seemingly ordinary skill — like Dorcas’s sewing — that you could use to show God’s love?
2. What issues or concerns are you deeply passionate about? How is that drawing you to action?
3. What prevents you from taking actions that demonstrate the love of Jesus? What will you do to change that?

Sherry Eiler is a capacity building grant officer at Habitat for Humanity International and works in the Americus, Georgia, office.

Forty positive actions for Lent

Rather than focusing on what you might “give up” for Lent, consider how you can build up the kingdom of God and draw nearer to God through specific, positive actions.

Week 3

I really do see you

By David A. Wilson

“‘I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

— Matthew 25:36-40 (English Standard Version)

I often wonder if our highly connected world that demands speed, convenience and efficiency has made us forget about the value of truly interacting with others. Do we take the time to speak beyond pleasantries and build relationships, or do we miss the blessings of interaction and discovery?

I grew up with my grandmother, who had severe asthma. It was not unusual to hear her in the middle of the night yelling repeatedly, “David, I can’t breathe,” while she was gasping for air. This experience became routine until her passing when I was 13.

In learning to be watchful about her health, I developed the muscle of sensitivity. When I would go outside and play, I would check in with her — sometimes hourly — yelling through the window, “Granny, you okay?” Most of the time she was, but sometimes she wasn’t doing well. I learned to really see her, listen to her and understand her situation.

How many people have we walked past today whom we didn’t really see? How many needs went unmet because we have not developed sensitivity? Even serving in a ministry of compassion like Habitat for Humanity, we can get so caught up in our tasks that we forget our purpose: to demonstrate the love of Jesus.

During this season of Lent, when we are focusing on the kind of “agape” love that calls us to act selflessly for the well-being of others, perhaps we could be a little more thoughtful. Rather than offering a routine greeting, perhaps we should ask intentionally, “How are you really doing today?” Let our prayer be that we will open our eyes, our ears and our hearts to meet the needs of others.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for seeing how humanity needs You. During the coming days, let us not be consumed with what we need and desire, but give us the heart that we may connect with others to let them know they are valuable and cared for. Amen.

Questions

1. Talk about a difficult time in your life when you weren’t sure anybody was paying attention, but you felt God call someone to notice you. How did that make you feel?
2. Think about a time when someone made you feel as if you were an answer to a prayer. What did you learn about yourself during this time?
3. How can you intentionally reach out to someone today?

David A. Wilson is a support specialist in Habitat for Humanity International’s Affiliate Support Center in the Americus, Georgia, office.

Forty positive actions for Lent

Rather than focusing on what you might “give up” for Lent, consider how you can build up the kingdom of God and draw nearer to God through specific, positive actions.

Week 4

Sharing generously

By Dena Jackson

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them.”

— Acts 4:32-34a (New International Version)

My early remembrances of sharing concerned my sister. We were referred to as “Irish twins” — born 10 months apart. We shared a crib, and we shared clothing. I was even told that when she cried, I often shared my thumb for her to suck. My natural reaction was to feel responsible for my sister if she was in need.

God calls us to share generously. The Lenten season is often thought of as a time of sacrifice or a time to give something up. Indeed, the passage above from Acts encourages sharing our possessions with others.

However, we can miss the point if we focus — as we often do — on our stuff. The power of the early church came from its single-minded purpose: the desire to witness to the resurrection of Jesus. It wasn’t about giving up possessions; it was about demonstrating God’s love.

Early Christians continued to live out God’s call to care for those in need. They felt deep responsibility for each other and cared for one another so that the world would know Jesus.

That is our vision at Habitat. We want to draw closer to a world where everyone has a decent place to live. We want to remove systems and barriers that keep people from having adequate shelter, and we want to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. We do it all so the world will know Jesus.

During this season of Lent, when we are focusing on the kind of “agape” love that calls us to act selflessly for the well-being of others, let us share generously in all areas of our lives. That should not be difficult if we truly believe that everything we have comes from God.

What can you share during Lent? Maybe God is calling you to offer your time and talents to work on a Habitat build or to volunteer at your local soup kitchen or hospital. Maybe God is calling you to be a peacemaker or to give more time to a spouse, child, parent or friend. Maybe God is calling you to share your treasure.

May we listen with our hearts and be willing to share with radical generosity.

Prayer

Lord, draw us together as Your followers that we might feel compassion and responsibility for one another. Call on us to meet the needs of those around us and far away. Help us to find joy in sharing generously so that the world may know You. Amen.

Questions

1. Do you find it easy or difficult to believe that everything comes from God? How does that affect your ability to share generously?
2. How can a spirit of unity create an environment of sharing generously? 
3. How have you witnessed a generous spirit that helps others know Jesus?
4. What will you do to share generously this week?

Dena Jackson is a Women Build affiliate engagement specialist at Habitat for Humanity International and works in the Americus, Georgia, office.

Forty positive actions for Lent

Rather than focusing on what you might “give up” for Lent, consider how you can build up the kingdom of God and draw nearer to God through specific, positive actions.

Week 5

The miraculous power of God's love

By Dianne Hall

“Jesus replied,‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’”

— Matthew 14:16 (New International Version)

In the story of the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew 14:13-21, we find a powerful lesson about meeting human need.

Upon seeing the huge and hungry crowd that had gathered around Jesus, the disciples lamented that it was getting late. Their suggestion was to send the people away. Jesus had a different plan.

He delivered a call to action to the disciples: “You give them something to eat.” He could have taken the bread and fish and fed the 5,000 Himself. However, instead, He chose to involve the disciples by asking them to distribute the bread.

By urging the disciples to care for the people, Jesus demonstrated the power of sharing God’s love. Our call at Habitat also is to active ministry that meets human needs. God calls us to be disciples — to be the means through which God’s work is done in our world today.

I have seen amazing results of people coming together to put love into action over and over all around the world. A house built with love becomes a home that changes everything for a family and for generations to come. The power of God’s love can break through even in the most unlikely places and circumstances when we join as faithful disciples seeking God’s good intentions for our world.

God provides for our needs when we step out in faith. My husband, the late Tom Hall, who was the associate director of Habitat for Humanity International many years ago, reflected on God’s miraculous acts in this story of Jesus:

“Rather than complaining about the meagerness of the resources, Jesus took what was at hand, thanked God for it and put it to work. Wonder of wonders, there was more than enough! I do not know just what happened on that Galilean hillside. I do know that when we take what is given and go to work with it to do God’s will, the job can be accomplished.”

Through our efforts at Habitat, God continues to take what we offer, bless it and turn it into the miraculous.

During this season of Lent, when we are focusing on the kind of “agape” love that calls us to act selflessly for the well-being of others, let us be mindful of the great things God can do through us.

Prayer

Gracious Father, make us ever mindful of the miraculous power of Your love and use us to do Your will, and Your will only. Amen.

Questions

1. In what ways have you been given blessed nourishment and failed to pass it along to people in need?
2. How do we let skepticism and the human desire to be in control stand in the way of our expectations for a miracle?
3. Do you feel that God is calling us to dream bigger and to change our ideas about what we are able to do through Him?

The Rev. Dianne Hall is the chaplain of Habitat for Humanity International and works in the Americus, Georgia, office.

Forty positive actions for Lent

Rather than focusing on what you might “give up” for Lent, consider how you can build up the kingdom of God and draw nearer to God through specific, positive actions.

Week 6

Serving in ways you might not have imagined

By Lisa Marie Nickerson

“You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

— Mark 12:32-33 (New International Version)

Habitat for Humanity provides a uniquely wonderful means for volunteers and homeowners to serve one another in communities. I recently returned from a Global Village trip to Prince Edward Island, Canada, where I was able to work alongside a future homeowner.

As we worked together, our team began to understand her story as she learned about ours. Every day, the homebuyer's mother and sister brought our team a delicious homemade lunch. Her neighbors also dropped in periodically to observe our progress and show appreciation.

The volunteers who wanted to be a part of this experience also demonstrated a servant heart as they fundraised and used their own resources to travel great distances and serve in building this community.

So many people were touched by this experience — the volunteers, the homeowner and her neighbors. All of them exemplified the “agape” love of Christ.

During this season of Lent, let us focus on the unconditional love of Jesus that inspires us to act selflessly in the service of one another. Let us recall the parable of the Good Samaritan and remember that Jesus instructed us to love our neighbor as ourselves.

When asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus described a story in which a man was robbed, beaten and left half-dead. After two religious leaders passed him by, it was a Samaritan — a stranger — who fed, clothed and cared for the man.

In Luke 10:36-37, we read, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him — and Jesus intends for us — to “go and do likewise.”

Prayer

Everlasting God, please remind us daily of who our neighbors are and guide us to serve one another in Your love. Strengthen Habitat as it brings together volunteers, homeowners and neighbors to build strong, stable homes and communities.

Questions

1. Can you think of a time when a stranger served you in an unexpected way?
2. In what specific ways are you demonstrating Jesus’ commandment to love one another?
3. What are ways that Habitat opens doors so that we can show “agape” love in our communities?

Lisa Marie Nickerson is the associate director of the Women Build program at Habitat for Humanity International and works in the Americus, Georgia, office.

Forty positive actions for Lent

Rather than focusing on what you might “give up” for Lent, consider how you can build up the kingdom of God and draw nearer to God through specific, positive actions.

Week 7

Someday we will live in peace

By Kate Ward

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”

 — 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (New International Version)

Even though my husband of almost 20 years and I don’t see eye to eye on everything, we still support each other. We don’t have to get rid of every stressful situation; we need only learn how to embrace peace and have peace.

We have learned the difference between resolution and reconciliation, and we have come to know that creating and maintaining peace requires having a forgiving attitude and a commitment to the welfare of another.

At Habitat for Humanity, we seek to put God’s love into action by building peaceful interactions throughout the worldwide communities we serve. One of our greatest strengths for over four decades has been the ability to bring people together. We tear down walls metaphorically as we build them literally.

In responding with compassion to the world's shelter needs, we find opportunities to promote peace. We demonstrate that forgiveness and reconciliation are about shifting and transforming people’s attitudes, prejudices and perceptions about the “other.”

The Prince of Peace, described in Isaiah 9:6, gave us faith, compassion, forgiveness, repentance, gratitude, God’s word, prayer and hope to help us find and create peace.

During this last week before Easter, known as Holy Week, we recall the events that began with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and ended with the cross and then the empty tomb.

We are reminded that Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice calls us to a ministry of reconciliation and that living as one who loves Jesus means seeking to live in peace with others.

As we have during all of this Lenten season, may we continue this week to focus on the kind of “agape” love that calls us to act selflessly for the well-being of others, and may we take intentional steps to draw closer to God.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your love, grace and mercy. Please help us to be ambassadors for peace. Enable us through the peace shown to us by Your spirit to be a driving force to make the world a better place. May Your divine love enter the heart and mind of every soul on earth so that we may share “agape” love with others. Help us to be blind to the race, religion, politics and wealth that disconnect, separate, divide and classify us. Lord, please bring peace to our world, and let it begin in me. Amen.

Questions

1. Who can contribute to the development of peace? What is required for peacemaking?
2. What role can young people play in peacemaking efforts?
3. How do you use the tools that the Prince of Peace has offered us to build peace in your community? In the world?
4. What is your plan to create positive impact as a result of this Lenten season?

Kate Ward is a specialist in the U.S. grants department at Habitat for Humanity International and works in the Americus, Georgia, office.

Forty positive actions for Lent

Rather than focusing on what you might “give up” for Lent, consider how you can build up the kingdom of God and draw nearer to God through specific, positive actions.

Forty positive actions for Lent 

1. Make plans to be a part of a Lenten study or read an inspirational book.
2. Shortly before Lent begins, put out a box or a bag near your eating area. Select a food item each day to donate to a food bank. Don’t make these items “extra” purchases. Share from your own food.
3. Create a worship/prayer space for your team and invite a worship leader to facilitate a special time or times of reflection on "agape" love.
4. Think of at least three Habitat co-workers you appreciate. Tell them how they have made a difference in your life.
5. Contemplate the last 40 days of Christ’s life and read one or more Gospel accounts to help you focus on the context of a particular event. Close your eyes and imagine the smells, the sounds, the colors, the light or darkness, the looks on the faces of Jesus and others and the words that were spoken. Reflect on how this helps you better understand the event.
6. Use the Lent Build 40-day calendar to focus on the blessings of shelter and as a means for sharing your resources to help others in a spirit of “agape” love.
7. Choose a Christ-like behavior you would like to emulate. Pray about it and put it into practice for a day, a week or the remainder of Lent.
8. Think of someone you have may offended or hurt. Ask for forgiveness.
9. Each day in Lent, recruit one person to be a Habitat Global Prayer Partner.
10. In a private space, take time to write one paragraph describing the role your Christian faith plays in your Habitat service. Offer those words to God as a silent prayer of thanks.
11. Share a meal with a person or family you feel God is directing you toward and offer to pray together.
12. Ask God to change hardened hearts — including your own.
13. Ask three people what their favorite quote or Scripture passage is. Spend some time reflecting on those words.
14. Think of a childhood memory that brings you joy. Then share the story with someone.
15. Surprise someone today with a random act of kindness.
16. Make it a point to meet a neighbor you don't know.
17. Laugh with someone today. Think especially about someone who could use the gift of laughter, and seek out that person with a joyful spirit.
18. Pray for someone today you’ve never previously lifted up in prayer.
19. Look around the house for items you can donate to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore or thrift shop.
20. Give a gift card to a stranger who appears to need a blessing.
21. Take some time to reflect on your blessings today. If you can do so with a friend, you might find that you feel extra blessed.
22. Thank someone today who may be surprised by your gratitude.
23. Reread your favorite book of the Bible during Lent. Challenge a friend to do likewise and then discuss what you’ve learned.
24. Get hands-on at a local Habitat project.
25. Learn all you can about housing needs in another country and how Habitat is responding.
26. Ask someone to teach you something you’ve wanted to learn. Then ask if there’s anything you can help him or her learn.
27. Volunteer to help someone with upcoming yardwork or planting.
28. Commit to listen without comment or rebuttal; think longer before talking.
29. Organize a group to deliver Easter lilies or other items on Easter afternoon to those who cannot leave their homes.
30. Experience Holy Week, including Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship, in an unfamiliar congregation. Consider what you have in common.
31. Reach out to someone today you’ve been intending to contact but just haven’t made the time.
32. Is there some justice issue in your community that needs your support? Make it a point during Lent to get involved.
33. Give your pastor a donation for his or her discretionary fund.
34. Start some new pattern of sharing with those in need and continue this new practice throughout the year.
35. Reflect on some special “God moments” in your life and give thanks.
36. If you do not already record your thoughts by writing regularly, try journaling this Lenten season. Focus on the ways you feel closer to God.
37. Do you have a relative who could use an encouraging word today? Reach out!
38. Do you have a quiet time for prayer and reflection each day? If not, why not make one? If so, consider doubling that time at least a few days a week during Lent.
39. Ask your children or children you love what sharing with others means to them. Help them take action to share with the people they choose.
40. Challenge each family or staff member to learn an Easter greeting in another language and use it on Easter morning.

A post-Easter theological reflection

By Chuck Olsen

“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.  As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.”

— Luke 24:13-16 (New International Version)

There are several practices that Habitat for Humanity encourages to “keep God at the center.” However, theological reflection seems to be the most difficult and neglected — possibly because it feels strange, presumptuous and often awkward.

Looking at the story of the road to Emmaus may shed light on why it feels this way and enable us to embrace it as a familiar, communal habit.

The two walkers described in the Gospel of Luke were piecing together bits and pieces of a fantastical story, trying to make sense of Jesus’ empty tomb.

One was a follower, but was not with Jesus in the upper room. The second is nameless. However, both spoke of their experiences and their hopes. Their hearts burned within them as they walked and talked.

What hopes do new volunteers bring as they begin their experience with Habitat? They may have heard the stories from volunteers who have discovered a vital living faith during their journey. Do they silently yearn for an experience of God’s presence, leading and blessing — an opportunity to walk with Jesus in this effort?

The biblical account of Holy Week is loaded with stories. They are humorous, happy, uncomfortable, difficult, successful and even mysterious. These stories beg to be unpacked for lessons, meanings, healing, reconciliation and especially celebration!

But so often the opportunity to celebrate is missed.

What if a group of volunteers stood in a circle as part of an Easter reflection, told stories of their experiences and named the ways that God was present in those stories?

After praying together to feel God’s presence, what incredible power could we find in hearing how each person has felt God’s spirit move?

We work and talk on our personal Emmaus roads — often without taking the time to acknowledge and reflect together that Jesus was walking with us along the way!

Step out in faith and tell someone your story today.

A Habitat Emmaus prayer

Jesus, open our eyes to see the many ways You walk with us. Allow us to come to an “aha” discovery of Your presence in those graced moments when we recognize You. Empower us to tell our stories so that others may know Your grace and power.

Questions

1.      What impactful stories from the season of Lent stand out for you?

2.      In what way can you decipher the underlying hopes and fears that people bring to this season?

3.      How do your stories mesh with other Habitat or Scripture stories?

4.      How do (or will) you celebrate Jesus’ presence in your stories?

Chuck Olsen writes and consults on the practices of discerning God's will and yearning for the amazing movement of God's Spirit.