Just turning on the news lets us know we are living in uncertain times. Economic instabilities, eruption of violence, and natural catastrophes can alter the lives and landscapes of entire communities. Our individual lives are often just as unsteady: relationships can break, plans can falter, and confidence can fail. Uncertainty can definitely be uncomfortable. Many of us prefer stability and a predictable future to an unknown fate. We are wired to want to control our destiny. The reality is that in our fast-changing, unpredictable world there are few guarantees in life. It's those who are willing to embrace uncertainty and make the risky decision to follow Jesus despite the many "unknowns" who will reap the greatest rewards. Embracing the Uncertain invites readers this Lent to engage and wrestle with life's uncertainties, not ignore them. This 40-day devotional journey is the perfect companion piece to the book and includes Scripture, reflections, and prayers for each day to help you renew your heart during Lent. Magrey R. deVega is the Senior Pastor at Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida. He is the author of over a dozen books, including Questions Jesus Asked, The Christmas Letters, The Bible Year , Savior , Hope for Hard Times, Almost Christmas , and One Faithful Promise. He is also a contributor to numerous publications on preaching, worship design, and the spiritual life. He is the proud father of two daughters, Grace and Madelyn. Embracing the Uncertain Devotions 40 Devotions for Unsteady Times By Magrey R. deVega Abingdon Press Copyright © 2017 Abingdon Press All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-5018-4809-4 Contents Introduction, Day 1: You Shouldn't Stay and Shouldn't Go Now (Mark 9:2-13), Day 2: Prayer Is Simple but Not Easy (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43), Day 3: The Best Worst Advice Ever (Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43-45), Day 4: Temple Taxes and Fishy Coins (Matthew 17:24-27), Day 5: Who Is the Greatest? (Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-50), Day 6: Draw the Circle Wider (Matthew 18:6-9; Mark 9:38-48; Luke 9:49-50), Day 7: Really? Rain Down Fire? (Luke 9:51-62; John 7:2-11), Day 8: Traveling Lightly (Luke 10:1-24), Day 9: Drawing Near (Luke 10:25-37), Day 10: Goofus and Gallant (Luke 10:38-42), Day 11: The Way to Pray (Luke 11:1-13), Day 12: Two Sides of the Same Soul (John 7:53–8:11 [7:14–8:59]), Day 13: Beyond Cause and Effect (John 9:1-7 [9:1-41]), Day 14: The Better-than-Good Shepherd (John 10:11-21 [10:1-42]), Day 15: The Central Conflict (John 11:47-54), Day 16: When Jesus Does the Calling (Luke 13:10-17), Day 17: The Fox and the Hen (Luke 13:18-35), Day 18: True Humility (Luke 14:1-11 [14:1-35]), Day 19: Unusual, Unconditional Love (Luke 15:11-32 [15:1–16:18]), Day 20: The Parable of the Five Brothers (Luke 16:19-31), Day 21: Forgiveness and Faith (Luke 17:1-10), Day 22: The Key to Deeper Healing (Luke 17:11-19), Day 23: Closer Than You Think (Luke 17:20-37), Day 24: No Wimpy Prayers (Luke 18:1-14), Day 25: The Upside-Down Kingdom (Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17), Day 26: More Than Riches (Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23), Day 27: The Economics of Grace (Matthew 20:1-16), Day 28: Spelling Servanthood (Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45), Day 29: An Encounter Between Royalty (Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-50; Luke 18:35-43), Day 30: Don't Bury Your Calling (Matthew 25:14-30; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 19:11-28), Day 31: Team Mary or Team Judas? (John 12:1-8), Day 32: Palm Sunday: Shrieking Stones (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19), Day 33: Committing Worship Theft (Matthew 21:12-14; Mark 11:11; Luke 19:45-48), Day 34: The Fruitless Fig Tree (Matthew 21:18-27), Day 35: Stories of Tough Love (Matthew 21:28–22:14), Day 36: Rethinking Power (Matthew 23:37-39; 25:31-46; Luke 13:34-35; 19:41-44), Day 37: The Silver and the Ointment (Matthew 26:6-16; Mark 14:3-11), Day 38: Maundy Thursday: Four Important Verbs (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-20; John 13:1-17), Day 39: Good Friday: A Tale of Two Bowls (Matthew 26:1–27:56; Mark 14:1–15:41; Luke 22:1–23:49; John 18:1–19:37), Day 40: Holy Saturday: God Already at Work (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42), Easter: Act Free! (Matthew 28:1-20), CHAPTER 1 DAY 1 Mark 9:2-13 YOU SHOULDN'T STAY AND SHOULDN'T GO NOW The transfiguration of Jesus is the pivot point in the Gospel story. From here on, Jesus is no longer simply the miracle healer or the prolific teacher. He turns his face to the cross and marches into his mission to be the Messiah, who gives himself up to be arrested, tortured, and put to death. These matters are all lost on the disciples, of course; you can tell by their reaction when Jesus is transformed on the mountain. "Jesus, this is great!" Peter said, in a manner of speaking. "This is awesome! I have an idea, let's stay here on this