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.
Advocate
The word John uses for “advocate” literally translates to: “one called alongside.” An advocate is someone who comes alongside of us, speaking up for us, voicing our needs, becoming a companion for wherever the journey takes us. Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will...
Farmer
I have always been intrigued with Jesus’ parables. While they include a variety of literary styles, including allegories, metaphors and proverbs, They are a good way to get people thinking about God’s kingdom in our midst. I am married to a farmer’s daughter. I have...
Potter
Growing up as a camper turned staff at Sugar Creek Bible Camp, I often heard and told the story of the cracked pot. Each day a woman walked to the stream for fresh water. To gather it, she carried a long pole with two clay pots attached at each end. One pot was...
Woman in Labor
God declared to Isaiah, “I am the Lord, I have called you to righteousness.” Isaiah’s response (above) rings out challenging us to acknowledge and respond to racism, to the pain and needs of people who differ from us, who are viewed with fear and disrespect, their...
Healer
The word “healer” has taken on new meaning for me in the past year, as I graduated from medical school and started my residency in Boston in the middle of a pandemic. The days are fraught with emotions. Fear every time I walk into a COVID patient’s room. Anger when I...
Shepherd
During my days as a grad student at UW-Madison, my beloved grandfather died… on Good Shepherd Sunday. My campus pastor, Phil Knutson, tended to me in the midst of my loss and grief with words and actions that provided comfort and hope in God’s resurrection promise....