Lenten Devotional 2021
A gracious thank you goes out to the 40 members of the Lutheran Campus Ministry who answered the call to contribute to this devotional. We could not have done this without you!
Friends of Lutheran Campus Ministry:
Back when I was in college, I helped out on a Lenten devotional with this same theme: the many metaphors and names for God. I was astounded by just the sheer number of ways of understanding God there were and how many went unused by the church at large. However, as evidenced in this devotional, unused does not mean unappreciated. No, all of these names for God are special and sacred, and I will bet that, like our writers, many of these hold special significance for you too.
Perhaps the greatest gift of all these names is that they show the different ways we understand God. Whether from some of the popular ways like “Shepherd,” or from some of the uncommon ones like “Smeller,” these metaphors open our hearts and minds to the many ways that God interacts with us. And in Lent, a time for self-reflection, we wanted to lift up these metaphors and names as an offering for broadening your understanding of God. To give shape to your image of God, and to offer some insights as to how God is at work in our world and in our lives through these different means. It is a chance to consider what God means to you, and perhaps to find either new vocabulary for it, or affirmation in an old favorite.
So, enjoy these devotions. Each one contains a word, a metaphor or name, followed by a verse and a reflection from a member from our community, whether a current student, faculty, alumnus, board member, partner congregation leader, or friend of the ministry. I encourage you all to ponder, pray, and take to heart these metaphors. Some may be odd, some may be inspirational, and you may find one that makes more sense than you ever thought it would.
Thank you for being a part of our ministry, and blessings upon you in your Lenten journey.
Vicar Leif Kratzke Nelson
Intern 2020-2021, Lutheran Campus Ministry, Madison
If you would like a copy of the devotional booklet sent to you, please email info@lcmmadison.org and specify if you need regular or large print and if you would like it emailed or mailed.
Morning Star
https://youtu.be/tQ5AAFED94c Jesus brings us God’s Word. But that Word is never given that we might remain complacent. That Word is not spoken so that we might sit still. Jesus sends a Word that is meant to be spoken, proclaimed, and shared. The Word of God comes to...
Rock
https://youtu.be/vJMKAIFd9s8 “The Lord liveth and blessed be the Rock”. The Rock is a popular song sung during worship at Lutherdale bible camp that is full of energy and hand motions. Reminding us that God is our backbone and to always be thankful. In Psalm 78, the...
Bread
https://youtu.be/ApQ2D5WNj6g When I was little, the church my family attended had the tradition of congregation members baking bread to be used for communion. My Dad was known for his bread making. People would literally get excited when they saw his name in the...
Sanctifier
https://youtu.be/CY3Az89Prao May the God of peace sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. -1 Thessalonians 5:23 Which part of that verse sounds more appalling? Is it that you...
Redeemer
https://youtu.be/6gpHZQhdBJs In my daily life, I find myself trying to redeem myself. I might redeem my debts by paying back friends who bought me a meal or used gas when we carpooled. I may have been playing basketball and made a bad play, so in order to redeem...
Creator
https://youtu.be/fN_0Kg0jvVM On the sixth day God looked upon her creation and said "tov meod" - Very good. This was the culmination of the very breath of God, the divine one speaking all things into being. The spoken words of God birthing and sustaining every fiber,...