Control

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text. 

Luke 20:27-40

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Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

​Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

​Today's Gospel is one I have a tendency to read, and then get confused, and then tune out. So many marriages and then resurrection? That seems like a problem for 2000 years ago not today.

But this time I chose to look a little deeper.

What the Sadducees are doing is tricky. They are messing with Jesus. Testing Him, trying to trip Him up so that they can accuse Him. And I find myself doing this, too. I don't question Jesus's knowledge about the law; instead I find myself questioning Him about how much He knows me, how much He loves me.

I tend to say: "Lord, if you really love me, you will give me this." Or "Lord, you know what's best for me; but this is what needs to happen here."

I know I am a control freak (ask my mom, my brothers or my husband), and me telling Jesus what to do or what would make me the most happy is my own way of trying to do what the Sadducees did. Jesus answered the Sadducees; and He answered me too.

Often, He answers me in ways I don't want, in ways that push me (like the time I told Him everything was great and then He asked me to move across the country, or the time I thought I was going to marry someone and got dumped instead). But the thing is, the results of Jesus pushing back on what I asked Him for has lead me to new places, new friends, new opportunities, a loving husband, an adorable puppy, and most importantly to be closer to Him than I could have ever dreamed.

​So stop telling Jesus what you think needs to happen, us control freaks have to let it go. Open yourself up to all the wonders that He has for you and recommit to follow Him today.

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Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

In what ways do you try to control your life that Jesus might be asking you today to surrender so that he can truly be Lord?

How are you like the Sadducees, doubting in the true wisdom and power of God?

What is an area of your life where you have seen Jesus move in power and fulfill his promises to you? Give him thanks for that today!

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Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"Jesus, I trust in you."

"I give you control."

​"Lead me, Lord."

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Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

When something doesn't go right today, use it as a time to pause – even if very briefly – and thank ​God for what went wrong, allowing him to truly be Lord even of the bad things.

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Smartphone Lock Screen

The following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.

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Today's prayer was prepared by Lisa Majernik, a non-profit worker who lives with her husband and puppy in central Illinois.

If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today.