In Luke 13:31-35, the passage from Sunday, Jesus makes some distinct statements. “I finish my work.” which is obvious that Christ has a plan and he is going to carry it out. That plan is confidently against Herod, that “fox”, who is trying to subvert him. Not only is he confidently speaking against Herod, but Christ is standing firm on his goals to protect and save the people of God, longing to gather his children. He is demonstrating an attitude of commitment that I should be mimicking as his follower.

As we are entering the Second full week of Lent, I am asking myself how I usually respond when faced with distraction or trouble. I am already seeing my fickle ways. I am seeing that my experience can become gray, but Christ is calling for something more black and white. Christ longs for me to stand firm on my commitments to this Lenten journey. I want to walk out this road without fail.

Yet, when little fires begin to pop up around me in the barnyard, I am already trying to figure out my own ways of fixing things. I have that tendency to do things on my own. Instead I should be running under the shelter of the grace of Christ to sustain me through these little temptations.

I know that my plans will not suffice. I don’t want to do this life on my own. I want to grow in submission and reliance on Christ and the things that he has to offer me.

Christ is calling all of us to stand firm on our commitments under his protection. Then we can be a mark of his truth and finish out the work that he began in us. Sometimes this can be difficult and scary, yet we know “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” It’s never too late to turn back and find solace under the shelter of the Lord.