Spring Change

Spring is “officially” here. At least that what our Calendar and the position of the sun in relation to Earth tells us even if it seems uncertain that the weather hasn’t quiet caught up with the idea just yet. Of course, with the beginning of Spring comes so much change. We open windows that have been shut for months, break out clothes that haven’t been worn in ages come out of the closet again and so much cleaning gets done. It’s also a time when people start working on home improvement projects or begin making plans for a big move.

                  It might not seem like it at first glance but our reading (Luke 13:1-9) for this week also invite us into a time of change. In response to being asked about natural and political atrocities happening around him Jesus’ response it to tell people to “repent” or they will perish just like the others. Repentance is a word that has potentially been overused in Christian settings to a point where its meaning has been lost or watered down. It has become synonymous with just apologizing or seeking forgiveness. A simple “I’m sorry” and not much more. In reality repentance is a lot more than that. It should be understood as something closer to how the CEB translation of the Bible translates the Greek word behind repentance. The CEB translates the Greek word Metanoia as “changing your heart and your lives”.  Jesus is calling for us to change and reorient our lives back to God. Which is a huge project! Our hearts and minds change and turn about as quickly as a giant ocean liner it seems. The good news though is like the gardener in the Parable Jesus surrounds us with good nutrients that can help fuel and promote the change he wishes to see in us so that we might bear good fruit for the sake of the world.

                  So I pray that as you clean house, start new projects and begin the work of springtime change you might also take inventory of your heart and mind so you might begin the change Jesus calls us to as well.

Peace,

Pastor Corey