“I Am” Lenten Devotions
At my current job I wear many hats which seems to be the case for many of us these days. During this Lenten season, it seems like the perfect opportunity to spend some time in intentional reflection. When my administrator asked me to write some devotions for a staff prayer walk prior to the beginning of Spring Break, I was reminded of the Labyrinth behind the chapel of Valparaiso University which has the “I am” statements of Jesus posted at periodic spots. I was also reminded of the Labyrinth behind the Lutheran Diaconal Association’s Center for Diaconal Ministry (pictured above) where I spent time in deep personal reflection over the years. In fact, it was as an LDA student that my love for reflection developed. I wanted to take the opportunity to share the devotions I wrote which can be done as a prayer/labyrinth walk or as separate daily devotions. The questions are appropriate for self-reflection/journaling or to be discussed in small group format. Enjoy!
Station 1
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35)
Jesus’ declaration that he is the bread of life came the day after the feeding of the five thousand with the 5 loaves and 2 fish. This same crowd, after witnessing this miracle where all were fed and 12 baskets were full of leftovers, still asks Jesus in verse 30 “Then what sign do you do , that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?”. When we, in our human frailty, focus on what we lack, what we do not yet have, we often miss the miracle of God’s provision that may have occured right before our very eyes. Though the Jews in this particular crowd partook of the loaves and fishes, Jesus still had to remind them that God fed the Isrealites in the wilderness manna from Heaven but the true “Bread of God is He who comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:33). Jesus is this gift of bread and living water that can and will sustain us regardless of life’s circumstances in what may seem a whirlwind around us. We also need to ask ourselves if we are seeing what God is doing right in front of us or are we too busy looking for what we do not have?
How is God feeding you in this present storm?
How has God shown himself to you in your current circumstances?
What do you notice in yourself, physically, spiritually, and emotionally when you go too long without partaking of the Bread of Life?
Station 2
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9)
In this verse, Jesus is referring to a sheepfold, a low stone wall with a single opening where the sheep were kept. Most did not have a gate in the opening but the shepherd himself would sleep in the opening to protect the sheep. The shepherd would then move out of the way only when it was safe for the sheep to be let out to graze. This then speaks to our trust in Jesus. What we may see as obstacles blocking our way is often the Great Shepherd waiting until the way is safe for us to proceed. The majority of the instances in scripture where the word “saved” is used refers more to our present circumstances than our eternal salvation. Often it has to do with saving us from our own sin, or temptations, or our insistence on doing things our own way rather than God’s way. We then need to ask ourselves; how can we tell the difference between Jesus blocking our way to keep us safe and the Enemy trying to derail us in our walk with God?
How is God protecting you and what is He protecting you from?
How do you react when God blocks your way and how would you rather respond?
Station 3
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11)
In this verse Jesus foreshadows His great sacrifice to pay the price for our eternal salvation. A few verses later in John 10:16 He shares that He has “other sheep who are not of this fold” and He will “bring them also”. He then states that there will be “one flock, one shepherd”. We now know that He was speaking about how both the Jews and the Gentiles would come together as Jesus’ sacrifice would be for us all. We still live in a very divided time where we, as Christians, do not always acknowledge each other as being part of the “one flock”. Reflect on who you may be leaving out, why that is, and what may be the best actions moving forward.
Do we treat others as not being part of the flock because of a certain mindset or sin?
How can we recognize, honor, and love Christians who think or live differently from us?
Station 4
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12)
We live in a time and in a country that provides ample light for our daily needs. We no longer need to rely on oil lamps and candles when the sun sets at night. Is it possible that we may not understand the importance of light in biblical times? People then did not have street lights on every corner, flashlights on their phones, or headlights when traveling. I think sometimes it can be easy for us to take light for granted but in Jesus’ day light kept you alive and protected. Light gives us life. Without the sun we cannot grow food to sustain us or see what direction we are traveling.
How has Jesus provided light for you recently?
What darkness has he kept at bay?
Say a prayer of gratitude for the light He brings into your life and the people He uses to do so.
Station 5
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25)
In this verse Jesus tells us that our life on this earth is not all there is. We who believe in Him will live eternally with Him, never again separated from our God. Technically, He didn’t need to let us know that, He simply could have let us live this life focused solely on our Earthly existence and let us find out about our eternal home when it happens. So why tell us? By letting us in on the process of our eternal salvation Jesus is changing our perspective. Whatever we experience in this present life, it is not our real home. Whatever is stressing us, finances, family, politics, health, it is all temporary. He will lead us through anything we experience here to a life everlasting with Him. So we need to ask ourselves if we are living from an eternal perspective?
Are you living from an eternal perspective?
What does that mean for you?
What, if anything, is distracting you from an eternal mindset and what can you do to remind yourself of your true eternal life in Christ?
Station 6
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6)
This verse is often used to discuss accepting Jesus as our Savior and trusting in Him for our eternal salvation. While it should be used for that, the fact is that this verse is part of a larger conversation that Jesus is having with the disciples and tells us much more about who God is. The disciples, like us, live in a finite world. In chapter 14 of John, Jesus explains how deeply interconnected the members of the trinity are. God only exists in relationship. Jesus tells us that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. He also tells them of the Helper (Holy Spirit) that the Father will send and states “you know Him for he dwells with you and will be in you” (verse 17). We know from Genesis that God made us in His image and that He is purely relational, we then need to ask ourselves are we living our relationship to God and each other to the fullest?
Are you fulfilling your true potential to live in relationship with God?
What does your current relationship look like and what would you like it to look like?
What steps can you take to advance living in relationship with God?
Station 7
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser” (John 15:1)
In chapter 15 of John, Jesus uses the analogy of a grape vine and its branches to talk about who we are in Christ. He clearly states that He is the vine and we are its branches and the branches need to remain healthy and attached to the vine in order to bear fruit. This is our relationship with Jesus. Most of us have heard this over and over and understand about that. The part we don’t like to talk about is the Father’s role as the vinedresser. The reason we don’t like talking about that is because most sermons and devotions that mention the vinedresser focus on the painful topic of pruning. What is less discussed is the fact that a vinedresser’s job also includes building the support structure for the vine and positioning the branches along the support so the branches can bear the most fruit. God has not only given us the structure of His overall plan of Salvation, but has also put us in the places where we can bear the most fruit. It is good for us to reflect on God’s call on our life and the fruit we are currently bearing for His glory!
What has God called you to do for His Kingdom?
What fruit are you currently bearing?
If you are in a season of pruning, what do you think God is preparing you for and how can you assist in that process (without getting in the way)?
