LENT, DAY 9: DELIVERED ON THE OTHER SIDE
FAST FROM: Avoiding Hard Places
“What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”
— Mark 5:7 (NIV)
One thing I love about SJD and about Jesus, is that we are not afraid of being with, being around, or serving the least, the lost, and the left out. We don’t avoid the people that differ from us. We don’t count anyone out. We tend to see our similarities with others more than we see our differences.
In today’s scripture, Jesus crossed the lake where he did because on the other side was a man isolated, tormented, and bound by forces he could not break alone. He lived among tombs—alive, but disconnected from life.
Jesus did not avoid broken spaces. He moved toward them.
Some of us avoid difficult conversations. Hard family dynamics. Community issues. Emotional wounds. But Kingdom impact often requires crossing to the other side.
Freedom lives where fear once ruled.
Reflection Questions
What “other side” are you avoiding?
Where might God be calling you to step toward restoration?
Today’s Affirmations
I am not afraid to face hard places.
Jesus brings freedom into darkness.
God gives me courage.
Kingdom Marker: Kingdom impact moves toward restoration.
Prayer
Lord, give me courage to face what I have avoided. Let me be more like Jesus and move with intention without fear. Let Your freedom reign in every hidden space. Amen.
