Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:11

While it seems like a modern practice, self-renewal has been part of the Christian tradition from the very beginning.  Secular culture may call it “self-help” or “finding one’s self” or some equally trite phrase, but the intent is to have a better understanding of one’s authentic self.  From a Christian point of view, it is the opportunity to better understand one’s relationship with God.  It is a blessing that the Church makes a YEARLY event of offering members time for self-renewal and recommitment to serving God.  That season is Lent and it starts today.

Lent is a season of self-examination in order to make our practice of the Christian faith as healthy as possible. This includes confessing sins, offering repentance and seeking reconciliation.  Lent also invites us to set aside time for prayer and study, strengthening our spiritual muscles by seeking God’s direction in all parts of our life.  And Lent is an important time of stewardship, specifically in giving alms to those in need.

As with most self-improvement efforts, many times we start with the best of intentions and make a list of all that we hope to accomplish.  While that is excellent goal-setting, too often it feels like a New Year’s Resolutions list that gets forgotten after a week or two.  Many of us know what we need to do to feel closer to God – we need to take one step closer.  Just one step.  For some that might be coming to church more consistently on Sundays.  Others may need to find 15-20 minutes a day for personal prayer.  Some may find offering an hour a week in service to those in need is what God is calling you to do.  Maybe now is the time to read and study the Scriptures, on your own or in a Bible Study.  That one step might even be making a pledge to the church or seeking membership through baptism or confirmation.  There are many ways to take that step.  Which one is right for you?

Many think of Lent as a time to “give something up.”  The intention for that spiritual discipline is to associate the “thing” with God, so that when you want that “thing,” you instead think about God.  Taking this one step closer cuts the “middleman” out of a spiritual discipline and offers the freedom to seek God without associating God with deprivation.   Yes, Lent is a time of fasting, but perhaps that fast can be from worry, anxiety and fear.

We are seeking a clean heart and a renewed spirit from God to continue God’s work in the world.  This is daring to ask for such a clear understanding and direction because it commits us to serving as God would have us serve.  God’s way, not ours.  That is where we are headed this Lent.  That is the step we need to take.  Now we need to decide on a direction and put our best foot forward.

May you have a blessed and holy Lent.
In Christ,

Rev. Valerie+

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