Family Lenten Devotionals 2024
Essentials for the Journey
Week 2 of Lent – Flashlight: Gaining Wisdom

“in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.” 

—John 1:4-10 

Written by Cayanna Herrera, Director of Children’s Ministry

One summer, my parents, brother and I went on a weekend sailing trip on Lake Superior. On our first day on the water, it started to rain and before long, the waves were growing, the wind came up, and we were cold and wet and searching for a little island cove to take shelter in. That evening on top of everything else, I became seasick! It was awful!  

The little cove we took shelter in was near a navigational beacon- a little green light just off of a rusty old pier to warn boaters of the old dock and to keep away from it. That night, as I lay in the dark in the cabin of the sail boat, I could just see that green blinking light out of the little window by my head. Over the hours in the dark, I would drift off to sleep and then startle awake just sure that the boat had broken loose of the anchor and was floating into that old, rusty pier and we were all going to drown in the cold waters of Lake Superior. But when I would look out the window, I would see that light blinking in the same position that it had been when I had drifted into a fitful sleep. That light was like a lifeline that offered peace and comfort during a long, cold, wet, uncomfortable night.  

Thinking back on it now, I think that is kind of like what John meant in our Scripture reading for this week. John says that “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it”. And that Jesus is that light, shining in the darkness, like that navigational beacon, offering safety and peace no matter the weather- storm or calm, rain drops or moonlight.  

On our Lenten journey, we need the light of Jesus to help us prepare for the Mystery of Easter. Just like in our Godly Play Sunday school class, we remember that knowing Jesus is like shining a light into our world that helps us to have wisdom and helps us to know where we are going. This light, let’s be thankful for the Light of the World! 

Family Activity
I wonder how many sources of light there are in your home! This week, look around and see if you can identify all of the ways that light brightens your home. Do you have lamps, overhead lights, glow in the dark stars on a bedroom ceiling, maybe there are glow sticks lying around? See if you can make a list of all the light sources in your home!