"Be still and know that He is God"

by Dr. Ann Pearson on March 02, 2020

We associate Lent, the season of forty days preceding Easter, as a time of confession, self- examination and self-reflection. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent and reminds us of the time Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and facing temptation. Each of us, if we are perfectly honest, face struggles and temptations. During this Lenten season we are given the opportunity to devote ourselves to the spiritual disciplines of prayer, scripture reading and other ways of drawing closer to God in our faith.

For me, I intentionally choose to add additional spiritual disciplines to my life to continue building on the foundation of my faith. This decision causes me to be reflective and “Be still and know that He is God." (Psalm 46:10). During this season I see my failures of the past and the frail human nature that I possess. I yearn to draw closer to my Heavenly Father as a disciplined follower of Jesus to help me face my own weaknesses. As I reflect on Paul’s writings in Philippians, he characterizes his devotional practices on focusing less on ourselves and more on how the practices can connect us to Christ-like living.

In the book Because of this I Rejoice, I read the statement, “Lent may sound like a Christian self-improvement season.” That may be true but I look to the cross and Jesus’s journey in the wilderness as a sign of greater awareness of His Grace and Hope at work in my life and in the world. My Lenten disciplines help me be more conscious of giving glory to God and seeing God at work in my life.

I invite each of you to enhance your Lenten journey by adding something that will bring you into a deeper relationship with your Heavenly Father. Let’s walk together in growing in our faith.

In Christ’s Love,

Dr. Ann Pearson

Prayer for the Day:

Loving Lord we come to you this day searching and seeking for your guidance and direction for our lives. This Lenten time reflects our own humanness and the struggles we face. We trust and believe your plan for our lives is far greater than our own. Forgive us as we have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. We come now to you to commit ourselves to practicing those things which are pleasing to you. Help us to grow in the likeness of who you are. We ask these things in Christ's Holy Name, Amen.

About the Author

Dr. Ann Pearson

Ann graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Consumer Economics and household Equipment. She has a Masters in Science in Grief Counseling and Thanatology as well as a Doctorate in Philosophy of Pastoral Counseling and Thanatology from Breyer State University.

Her early professional career was spent working with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville, helping families of low income; working for the City of Charlotte Public Works Dept. and as a preschool teacher in Knoxville, Tennessee, Mobile and Fairhope AL. Ann has lived in Fairhope since 1986 where she immediately began serving in the youth department of Fairhope UMC. She joined the staff in 1990 as Youth Director, serving twice in this position and was also the interim Director of Children and Family Ministries for two years here! Ann had dual positions here at Fairhope UMC as Youth Director and Director of Caring Ministries which led to her becoming the full time Director of Caring Ministries in 2000. Ann loves her church family and appreciates the humble opportunity to be serving in this community. Ann has 2 children: daughter, Allison (Ryan) and son, Brad (Kate) and four granddaughters between the two! You will come to know she is passionate about University of Alabama Football, Grayton Beach and taking care of the people in this community by offering love, peace and God’s grace.

return to Whatever It Takes - Daily Lenten Devotionals