Falling into Goodness: Lenten Reflections

by Chuck DeGroat

Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Lent is from the Old English Lencten, meaning Springtime, that season in which we experience rebirth, growth, and goodness. Yet, we often view Lent as a morbid season, a season when we give up our favorite things. Instead, Lent is an invitation back to ourselves, back to the ground of our being as image-bearers, created "very good" even in our creaturely limitations. We are "enough" precisely because we're God-breathed and God-imaged. And even when we sabotage our original goodness, hiding behind our fig-leaved and false-selved control strategies, God pursues us in Jesus, becoming human not to overcome humanness but to redeem and ennoble it. These reflections - whether they are used for Lent or for another season of your life - are designed to invite you into the goodness of your life in Christ. Each week offers a unique theme that serves as a challenge for growth during RETURN TO YOUR GROUND WEEK 1 – DWELL WITH GOD WEEK 2 – LIVE FROM YOUR TRUE SELF WEEK 3 – IMAGINE THE KINGDOM WEEK 4 – TAKE THE HUMBLE PATH WEEK 5 – WRESTLE WITH GOD WEEK 6 – FOLLOW JESUS Whether they are used for Lent or in another season, these reflections will invite you into deeper union and communion with the One who is "more near to you than you are to yourselves" (Augustine).

Genres: Spirituality, Devotional

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2017

About the author

Chuck DeGroat is director of the counseling center at City Church in San Francisco, as well as academic dean of the Newbigin House of Studies. He also served as professor and director of spiritual formation at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando.

Reviews

[Jamaal Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Degroat's reflections on Lent. Written from a contemplative perspective while incorporating different Christian streams of thought, the author beautifully points His readers to the grace of Jesus and encourages them to fall into his goodness Dailey. This book rather quickly became my favorite Lent devotional.

[Paul Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an amazing Lenten devotional. This is not your surface level, "thought for the day" sort of devotional, where you spend the vast majority of your time thinking "yeah yeah, I get that, but I guess it's a good reminder. I guess". This is devotional is full of profound and difficult insights and truths into the human heart, the Scriptures, and the connections (and disconnections) between them. I cannot commend this book any more highly as a daily Lenten devotional.

[Linda Bieze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just OK

Besides having the typical faults of a self-published book, Falling into Goodness seemed to lack a unifying theme. Some of the daily meditations were outstanding; some were so-so. The focus was on psychological self-help rather than a spiritual practice for Lent.

[Kristen Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each day a scripture, a reaction and a prayer, words from the dust we are. I gave it five stars as I hope to pick it up during the Lenten season, to be reminded of who I am and of the hope of the goodness of life in Jesus.

[Emslo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different kind of Lenten devotional that is both challenging and affirming, an invitation to grace and confession. I liked the organization of weekly themes and short daily meditations based on Scripture.

[Jennifer Harrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

It was my first participation in Lent and I enjoyed having this devotional book as a supplement to the time.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Each devotion tenderly and gently reminded me of the importance of dying to the false self so that I can embrace the goodness of God.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #11 in 2024
Paperback
4.5 stars

A very good devotional I’ll return to again in the future.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this during Lent and did gain insight from it though the self published status meant that the editing could have been better.

[Brittany Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it— a good reminder that Jesus meets us in our humility and his glory is shown in our depravity :)

[Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of Lenten devotionals over the years, but this was different and really impactful. Highly recommend.

[Kathie Aldene]

Wonderful Lenten devotional.