February 20
Becca Flinker is on summer staff at Camp Fowler and is currently a senior at Hope College, studying music.

Mark 1:9-11

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”

How often I forget that Jesus humbled himself before his Father and was baptized! It seems like such a human thing to do. And indeed, admitting all human-ness, he chose to be washed and renewed in the Jordan River. He set an example for all of us, demonstrating that we are never too important to humble ourselves before the Lord.

I often need to ask the Lord to help me remember that just as God claimed Jesus in that moment—“You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased”—so he has also acknowledged me. Even in all my brokenness and doubt, I have been marked as a beloved child of the Creator. What a gift!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for setting such a brilliant example for how we should live. Draw my attention to the ways in which I can submit to your will and teach me to walk in your ways.

For this year’s Lent devotions, the days follow the Common Lectionary texts. Each author was invited to: 1.Read the passage.
2.Read a couple passages before and after the assigned day.
3.Do something else for the day, keeping the passage in mind.
4.Find a word/phrase/concept that connects with your own experience. Reflect on that.
You are encouraged to do the same.