As we welcome spring, I’m enjoying my new grandson, Alexander, born into our home eight weeks ago. Those tiny toes and the miracle of new life remind me that Easter’s coming and I remember the purpose of this Lenten season.
Have I done a real soul search lately and walked with Jesus through my mind, will, and emotions?
Allowing him to take spiritual inventory is uncomfortable, but we grow into our divine design when we let him transform wrong actions and attitudes.
Perhaps it seems we can’t overcome temptation and defeat sin’s control. My friend, that’s a lie. If we’re destined to remain sin’s slave, then why did Jesus allow the whip to shred his flesh and why did he surrender to the most humiliating, excruciating death known to the Roman world?
Jesus’ victory over death gives us victory over sin. His death and resurrection rescue us if we choose. We can die to our sinful nature and be raised to new life. Do we instantly become perfect with no more problems? Nope. We begin a lifelong journey empowered by his Holy Spirit, seeking spiritual growth through the good and bad times.
As a new believer, I learned that following rules and observing traditions don’t connect us with our Creator. Outwardly, we check the boxes and clean up quite well. As did the Pharisees. Jesus called them white-washed tombs. I don’t want to be shiny on the outside and dirty on the inside.
So, I need daily soul searches.
The longer I follow Christ’s teachings, the clearer I see this truth: All sin begins inside as a desire, a feeling, a thought. Our thoughts dictate our actions, so outward sin is merely a symptom of what’s hiding soul-deep: pride, greed, bitterness, jealousy, apathy, self-loathing, self-righteousness, etc. God wants an inner cleansing of our heart and soul.
Are you tired of living a defeated life? Of praying and saying, “That’s the last time, I promise.” only to be pulled back into something or someone that’s killing you from the inside out? If so, I have a dangerous prayer for you. It’s from Psalm 139 and the heart of King David:
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
The guy who penned this prayer messed up big time … more than once. Yet God called him, “… a man after my own heart” and put him in Jesus’ family tree. God saw a heart that wanted to do what was right.
Maybe you’re fresh out of courage. I’ve been there. From that humble state, may we ask our creator to reveal what separates us from his peace and purpose.
As we walk through Lent, let’s remember Jesus’ last few weeks. They were plagued with volatile crowds and murderous plots. Hope dimmed as dark hearts conspired to extinguish the Light. The Son chose death so we can be in relationship with the Father.
As we reflect on Jesus’ suffering, let’s search out sin. Own it and grieve it. Confess it and turn away from it. Jesus can remove its power over us. That’s our promise of new life, born on Easter.
Grace and peace for your journey, my friend.
You are getting better and better. I look forward to your words