Easter Devotion
by Holly Gallagher
Carve out some time to do this devotion when you can be alone, preferably very early on Easter morning – while it is still dark. Set your alarm, gather your Bible, pen and journal and prepare your heart and mind to encounter the Living Christ afresh.
In some ways, this is reminiscent of the first Easter -the day that Jesus rose from the grave. Those that encountered the living Christ on that first Easter, didn’t encounter him at a large worship service - but encountered him individually– or in small groups. They were filled with grief as the one hope in their lives, Jesus, was dead. Their world was in total disarray. Let’s not miss the opportunity to encounter the risen Christ powerfully, afresh – much like those that encountered Jesus that very first Easter – individually.
Your time with Jesus begins….
Silence and Solitude: Begin your time with Jesus with 10-15 minutes of silence and solitude. During this time - rest in God’s presence. Focus on your breath – God breathed life into us from the very start of His creation. Being able to focus on and use that breath can make us aware of Him, The God who lives within us, who is always inviting us into an ever-deeper relationship with Him. Use the very breath He gave you to rest in His presence. With each breath Lord – slowly in and slowly out…. may our breath be a prayer of resting in your presence. With each breath Lord – help the tension release from our bodies as we focus on resting in you. As you breathe feel relaxation flow down your spine and back – thank you for your presence Lord – thank you for the gift of rest. Lord as we inhale slowly, we think of your word – Be still and know that I am God. With each breath, inhale and whisper, Be still and know that I am God – hold your breath– then exhale and repeat it again. Be still and know that I am God…. Continue – as you inhale, whisper Be still and know that I am God – hold your breath, exhale and repeat. Thank you for your presence Lord
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know
Be still and know
Be still
Be still
Be
Thank you for your invitation to greater intimacy with you Lord. Thank you for rest
Pray: After you have rested in God’s presence for 10-15 minutes, pray – ask God to reveal himself to you through His Word.
Scripture Reading: As you prepare to read the text– envision yourself in the text. You are accompanying Mary Magdalene in each scene. Read John 20:1-18
Reflect: After you have read the Scripture – revisit each scene in your mind. As you rose early to go to the tomb, what was on your mind? What thoughts and emotions welled up inside of you as the grief of
the death of Jesus was so very fresh. Were you afraid to go to the tomb? Afraid of what the Roman guards might say to you? What do you see on your way there? Does the darkness around cause you to give way to fear? Does hopelessness invade your every thought?
Journal: Take a moment to journal what you imagine your thoughts would have been on the way to the tomb.
When you arrive and you see that the stone has been rolled away, you are overwhelmed with the thought that they have taken Jesus and you don’t know where they have put him. As you run to get Peter and John - what thoughts are running through your mind – what emotions are you feeling – Anger? Fear? Disbelief? Frustration? Despair?
Journal : Take a moment to journal what your emotions would be as you think someone has stolen the body of Jesus.
Reflect: After telling Peter and John what has happened – you run back to the tomb. Peter and John look in the empty tomb and then they go back to their homes, but you remain, alone, outside the tomb. Grief overtakes you and you weep; how could all of this be happening? You are still trying to wrap your mind around all that has happened in the past week. You were there in the crowds just one week ago, how could it only have been a week, when Jesus entered Jerusalem. You shouted “Hosanna” with the crowds. You were overjoyed at seeing Jesus. But as the events of the week went on, you were stunned how the reactions to Jesus had changed. In utter disbelief you learned that Jesus had been sentenced to death. How could this be happening? You were there and watched them crucify your Lord. The pain is still so great you shudder and weep. And now, now, they have taken his body. You lean over to look in the empty tomb. You are stunned by what you see, two angels seated where Jesus’ body had been. They ask you why you are crying. You answer that they have taken your Lord away and you don’t know where they have put him. You turn and are greeted by whom you think is the gardener. “Why are you crying, who is it you are looking for?” he asks. You tell who you believe is the gardener that if he carried Jesus’ body away to tell you where you have put him, and you will go get him.
And then, then it happens.
Jesus calls you by name. It is Jesus standing before you and he is calling you by name.
Hearing Jesus voice you see, know and feel his great love for you. You are amazed at how full of peace you are. Jesus assures you of his great love for you, that you are his beloved and he is well pleased with you. He assures you of his forgiveness, his grace, his mercy. Spend a few minutes talking with Jesus, your Risen Savior. What else does He say to you? What do you say to Him? Savor these intimate moments with Him and journal your conversation.
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The Beauty of Conviction
It’s astonishing how the Spirit of God can pluck one small phrase out of a pile of words and individually gift wrap it specifically for you — precisely when and where you are at the exact moment you exist in the course of human history!
I’ve been reading five pages a day-ish in my journaling Bible in an attempt to read through it in a year. It’s shocking how quickly an insignificant undertaking like five pages can elevate in my mind to an impressive feat. And the moment my perspective shifts in that direction the opportunity to abide deeply with the Eternal Lover of my soul devolves into an arbitrary box to check.
It’s been incredibly helpful to put into practice the method for preparing to abide in the True Vine from The Well Worn Narrow Path: Breathe… Center… Invite… Ask… This simple practice has continued to daily reorient my mind and facilitate actually being present to Jesus through his Word.
Today, as I was combing through the heart breaking stories of the descent of God’s people in 2 Kings the Spirit highlighted a phrase, “so they feared the LORD but also served their own gods” (17:33). At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it, so I underlined it and continued reading. It just so happens that I was also in Exercise 24 from the Devotion chapter in TWWNP. As I was meditating with God’s Spirit and journaling, that phrase from 2 Kings began to pierce deeply dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow, exposing the reality of my heart.
God took a sentence describing the nations that inhabited the land of Israel after Assyria took his people into exile 2,700 years ago and lovingly indicted me. I felt like David when Nathan used a parable to bring conviction. In an instant it was clear — I was that man! Yes, I fear the LORD. I love Jesus. I seek after him. I’ve put into place practices and habits that facilitate abiding in him. But, I also serve other gods. I also tithe at the temple retail therapy. I also sacrifice my time at the altar of entertainment. I also give my heart over to the worship of fleshly appetites.
My devotion is divided.
Conviction is a beautiful thing… when and only when we have an accurate understanding of the full picture. Adopted children of God have Jesus as our advocate. We can approach God with confidence knowing he sits on a throne of grace rather than a bench of judgment wielding a gavel condemnation. In moving toward Jesus with confession and repentance we will find help in our time of need because he is already interceding on our behalf.
With those truths ringing throughout my soul re-securing my attachment to my Heavenly Father I was able to feel the pain of conviction and not hide in fear or cower in shame. As I looked into the loving, tear-stained eyes or my Savior I was able to allow the Spirit to do his work. Which is what I actually desire. I want to be a person who is fully devoted to Jesus. But, I don’t know I need to recalibrate without God showing me how far off course I am. I can’t move in that direction without his Spirit stirring up the motivation within me.
I’m incredibly grateful for the countless ways God gentle helps steer me toward himself. I’m so thankful that, in the words of Hillsong UNITED, he loves me as he finds me, but his love is too good to leave me here. Or as Paul says in Philippians, he will finish the work he started in me so long ago.
If I could give any encouragement today it would be to simply let God love you. Allow God’s Spirit to shower you with the pre-delight of the Father. Ask him to remind you of the depth of his love for you in action through Jesus. Because as the beauty and safety of that relationship develops you will be able to receive God’s gentle corrective measures that only lead to more of the abundant life Jesus lived, died, rose, and ascended for us to experience.
Stumbling Down TWWNP
My favorite way to describe myself is as an imperfect follower of Jesus. Not only does it set everyone’s expectations appropriately, but it also serves as a helpful reminder.
In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul wisely says,
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. (12:3)
If experience has taught me anything it’s that my life of “faithfulness” has been fraught with too many slips, collapses, and plummets to count. Yet I can be so quick to discount my foibles imagining I’m far more devout than a mirror would depict. What’s more, my flesh desperately wants others to believe that a life-tuned version of me is the real me.
It may seem insignificant, but introducing myself this way fights against that natural, sinful tendency. This way I’m reminded of the truth and others don’t accidentally put me on a pedestal.
The good news for all of us is that in the eleventh chapter of the letter to the Hebrews the author describes a whole host of imperfect followers as people of faith or people by faith. At first the list seems distinguished and unattainable as if my name wouldn’t seem appropriate on it. But as their stories unfold Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and all the rest make me feel at home. Sure, on their best days, they had epic moments of faithfulness that challenge and inspire me to new heights. But, if I’m honest, when I look at their low moments I’m tempted to judge them harshly mounted on top of my moral high horse.
What a gift that God would put on display a group people who are a mixed bag of broken, fallen, and sinful, yet, courageous, trustworthy, and righteous. These are the men and women who surround us. This is the family that we make sense in.
What a beautiful, hopeful reality that Jesus’ grace is sufficient for all of us. What an incredible idea that one day we will all be surrounding the throne of God, not distracted by the decisions of any one of our best or worst days, but all transfixed, staring at Jesus crying out “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!”
Honestly, on my best day, by God’s grace, I’m simply stumbling in Jesus’ direction… just like the rest of us. And that’s enough.
— Brady
Walking TWWNP During Lent
Long journeys are difficult for me. I love to start things, but I’m not a natural finisher. There’s a thrill, a rush of energy, that comes when a new idea strikes me or I begin a fresh project. But if that new things begins to drag on I lose interest quickly.
The Well Worn Narrow Path is a long journey! The writers of the New Testament refer to it as a distance race. There are ups and downs, twists and turns, peaks and valleys. And sometimes, for me, the monotony of the straight, flat stretches are the most daunting and difficult to find the motivation to take the next step.
I’ve recently discovered that I live my life trying to skip to the exciting moments. I love to engage when it’s interesting. But as soon as it gets drawn out and boring I turn to sugar, entertainment, and spending money. It’s embarrassing, but those have become my fixes to fast forward through life when the journey feels mundane.
The Church calendar actually keeps things interesting. It gives us markers to look forward to. It gives us seasons where we mix things up a bit. Lent has been gift to me and countless followers of Jesus throughout the years. It’s a great time to spice things up by voluntarily adding some measured difficulty into the journey.
This year it felt like the Spirit of God was challenging me to challenge myself. Don’t be impressed. What might seem intimidating to me would be a walk in the park for most disciples. But I’m not embarrassed. The Spirit meets us where we are and takes us at his own divinely inspired pace.
As the days have turned into weeks, you guessed it, I’ve begun to lose that drive to conquer the tiny little mound I’m attempting to climb. It boggles my mind how sometimes I can be so on fire and fervent in my pursuit of Jesus and later that day I do everything I can to avoid him. As I drove home this evening I began to dread these short few hours something fierce. I knew no body was going to be home and for Lent I am abstaining from all my distractions. It was so painful at first that I began to do laundry.
But as I stilled myself just enough to hear Jesus beckoning me to himself his Spirit began softening me. An hour and a half in and the quiet has begun to befriend me. The stillness has begun to settle me into that beautiful space of abiding in the True Vine. It’s been so good I stopped doing the things around the house my wife wanted me to accomplish. I’m honestly not sure if this post is an overflow of the intimacy Jesus has graced me with or another attempt to avoid the boredom. You can decide for yourself.
— Brady White, March 27, 2025
What Is the Well Worn Narrow Path
The Well Worn Narrow Path isn’t simply a book, a course, or a retreat. It’s a way of life. It’s a method for practically walking in the footsteps of Jesus in our modern world.
Jesus told us that this path is narrow, and in comparison to the common path of this world few people are willing to walk it. Yet the path isn’t lonely. The reason it’s well-worn is because all its travelers are careful to step in the footprints made by Jesus himself.
Jesus teaches us that it’s difficult. The flow of our culture naturally moves away from the destination Jesus is leading us. Any step toward him will require going against the grain. It will feel like you’re a fish swimming upstream.
The good news is that the Path of Jesus is the Way of Life. It leads to ever increasing amounts of joy, peace, hope, contentment, and rest. It leads deeper into the source of all Life himself. It may be narrow, difficult, and less popular, but it’s guaranteed to be worth any discomfort, pain, or sorrow travelers experience. In fact, the life that is gained will dwarf the difficulty!