Short, Christian, Lent devotions are a great way to connect with God in your Lent journey! These simple devotionals show us why the Bible matters, and help us think through how to observe Lent. Get started with this one below!

Journey Through Lent, Day 7

There’s a special kind of grief reserved for when we mess up. Self doubt and shame creep into our minds after we make a mistake at work, yell at our kids, or when say something hurtful to a loved one (accidental, or not).

The step to return to God after we make these mistakes can feel so shameful and scary, but as we can see by reflecting on one of Jesus’ parables, returning to God is the best step that we can take.

Luke 15:20

“So he got up and went to his father. ‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.’”

Written by Reclaim Today

Recently, we came across a graphic that stopped us in our tracks. It read,

Religion: “I messed up. My Dad is going to kill me.”

Gospel: “I messed up. I need to call my Dad.”

In Luke 15, Jesus tells a parable that gives us context for understanding the message behind this graphic.

The son in Jesus’ parable had messed up bad. We’re talking…greedily demand an inheritance, waste it on “wild living,” and crawl back home after it all blows up sort of bad.

In his grief and shame, he hoped his father would forgive his betrayal enough to at least let him return home as a hired servant. He never could have anticipated the warm welcome he’d actually receive. The story culminates with the father setting aside his own dignity in order to welcome the son home with open arms, and a heart full of compassion.

Our Heavenly Father has a posture of compassion, too. He is a Father who runs toward his children, in all our mess. He pursues us, unhindered by all the brokenness, guilt and shame that we carry. And with great enthusiasm, he invites us to wear the identity he has for us—as sons and daughters who he sees as blameless through Christ. What good news!

Why It Matters

God is not surprised by your failings. Instead of letting grief and guilt leave you feeling regretful, frustrated, or unloved, turn to the Father in whose eyes you are already fully loved and forgiven!

Navigating your Lent journey is not something we want you to do alone. So, we put together simple devotions like this one to help guide you in your journey through Lent. We’ve got plenty more Lent devotions—visit this page to check them out!