Talk around the Cove office recently has included conversation about what we are each giving up for Lent, which is a new concept for many of us. I love the variety of what God is calling us each to surrender in this time in order to draw closer to Him in prayer when we would usually turn to something else.
It's had me thinking, though, that with some of these lifestyle shifts, we might start to believe we can do them on our own. We could forget the necessary heart change that is needed, the posture of dependency and calling out to Jesus in our lack. We could simply just not check social media for awhile, instead supplementing it with a different app on our phone. Or declutter the house because it just feels good to get the house in order instead of truly letting go of the material things that are weighing us down.
And as I was pondering this concept, I was brought to this passage from Matthew 3:7-8 (The Message):
"When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded: 'Brood of snakes! What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to make any difference? It’s your life that must change, not your skin!'"
I think it's easy to change what people see on the outside but leave the inside untouched. It's like choosing a specific Instagram filter that alters the image and crops out what we don't want others to know about us.
Real heart change comes from when we let the Holy Spirit burn out the dead wood in our lives, that which we are carrying around but serves no purpose, or, even worse, that which we hold onto so tightly it becomes a protective barrier between us and others.
Whatever you have chosen to sacrifice for Lent, don't let the experience bead up and roll off your skin. Hold up what's really holding you back, and let the Holy Spirit make a clean sweep of your life in this season.