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.
Armor
https://youtu.be/nAKrS4_Q6ic What is striking about the Apostle Paul’s list of items to help us stand firm in this world is that he begins with truth. Unfortunately, truth today is under attack. Today, it seems people don’t want to be bothered with the truth, or with...
Fortress
This verse comes from a story of David, he is praising God and thanking God for protection and being free from Saul. He is in a state of gratitude for all that God has done for him through this time of trouble and for eventually getting him out of it as well. David...
Clothing
https://youtu.be/aI1lXSPcGd4 In the past year or so, my wife got me sucked into watching a couple fashion competition shows. While some aspects of fashion still elude me, there is one particular aspect that I really appreciate. Everyone on the show treats fashion and...
Gate
https://youtu.be/hWYscs_9FYM Jesus is not the type of gate that locks us in, but rather one who frees us. Jesus is the good shepherd, and it is through him that we find greater pastures, abundant with life, led safely by a voice we know and love because we are known...
Mother Hen
https://youtu.be/qKP4RDO3TXw The image of God or of Jesus as mother hen is a compelling one. On first glance, it radiates comfort and warmth, security and protection. Check out the videos on YouTube of hens with their chicks and you’ll be moved by the tenderness of...
Lamb
https://youtu.be/Iy28E0ZdfGU What do you think of when you hear the word leadership? I’ve been thinking a great deal about leadership, and what it means for the role I have leading others where I work, and in a larger context, what leadership means more broadly in our...