I hope you’ll indulge me for a moment for a quick personal update.
If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve surprised myself more than once by the words that have arrived on this screen.
We are only into the second week of lent and yet this writing experience has already brought up unexpected feelings.
Feelings of self-awareness, humility, and doubt.
But it’s also been joined by love, inspiration, and hope.
With that…I’m dedicated to continue this journey so thanks for letting me share my feelings.
Moving on to today’s passage…
It uses an analogy we can all relate to…washing. Although our thoughts instinctively turn to washing or cleaning our homes or faces, this passage asks us to focus on our thoughts and actions.
Washing what’s on the inside.
Let’s be honest, we spend tons of money, and effort researching products to clean our faces and beautify our appearance.
And, if you’re anything like me we spend even more on items to polish up every room of our home.
But how much money or time do we invest to beautify what’s in our hearts?
I myself am guilty of this.
Each morning I sit with God in prayer. I listen to Pray 40 on Hallow, I read the daily passage from this booklet, and I write from the heart.
And I truly feel satisfied and hopeful afterwards.
I feel grateful God helps me find the words and gives me the strength to share my feelings without fear.
Yet, once that quiet time ends, I’m right back to running around like a crazy person.
I’m still losing patience…
I’m still feeling the pressures of the day…
And I’m still juggling the burdens of the task list ahead of me.
So that’s when the guilt creeps in. That’s when the internal struggle begins.
One minute I’m writing and feeling God’s peace, and the next…
I’ve forgotten everything.
Washing the inside is a beautiful reminder that my relationship with God can be messy.
And I still have a lot to learn.
But Lent gives me the opportunity to slow down.
To offer myself grace when I stumble, and to be thankful that I’ve become more aware of His presence in my life.
“The real work happens in the soul’s interior rooms, where only God sees.”
Lord, help me to wash the inside. Reveal my blind spots and transform me from within so that I can live in harmony with You, with myself and with those you place in my life. Amen.
