I can’t believe it is nearly Easter. I like Easter. In the UK it is lovely around this time because it is Spring. The flowers are blooming, there is a fresh smell in the air and the weather, occasionally, is lovely. The many new shades of green start spring everywhere. It is beautiful. In Brazil is the beginning of Autumn. The air is getting cooler. You can watch beautiful pink sunrises and sunsets at this time of year. Not many trees lose their leaves in Brazil. The green there is an old, strong, tired colour.
Don’t worry. I am not going to start giving you any advise on gardening. I am definitely not qualified for it! That said, I do know a lot of preparation is necessary in every season to make sure the plants are going to come back to life and have their full and their rest alongside the soil which also needs to be looked after.
As Christians we are also to be preparing our hearts for this particular time of the year. At Christmas time we hear about preparing room in our heart for the King born in a stable. The One that had been promised long ago. The Messiah. It is a lovely time. We concentrate on God’s love and mercy. We sing many songs and we even recognise that Jesus is our greatest gift. Christmas is part of the preparation for Easter. God came to live among us.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”. John 1:14
Jesus grew up serving His Father and living a perfect life in our place. From before time even existed, before the world was made, God had a plan, a perfect plan to rescue His people. He sent His Son, whom He loved, to die for us.
Many people during this time celebrate “Lent” which is meant to be a time for reflection and preparation. It is 40 days long and if you know your Bible well, you would be thinking about the 40 days Jesus withdrew into the wilderness and there he was tested. You can read it in Matthew 4:1-11. I wonder, how many focus on the “preparation” part of it. How does one prepare the heart?
Even though I am not a gardener, I know that plants need to be pruned, weeds need to be pulled from the ground (including their roots, otherwise they come back), the soil needs to be turned and nutrients need to be added (eggs shells, teabags, compost). Care must be taken so that diseased plants don’t infect heathy ones. There is also slugs. They can eat and destroy a lot of plants. It sounds like a lot of work to me. People spend hours on their knees digging, planting, turning soil, spraying plants, watering, pruning and in the Summer they enjoy their cold drink looking around feeling happy and satisfied with all their work.
With our hearts we also need to do a bit of pruning, weeding, turning the soil, get rid of the “slugs” that want to come and destroy what is planted. We also need nutrients – lots of it. Are we asking ourselves what sin am I holding on to? (Colossians 3:1-11) Have I repented and confessed them to the Lord? (1 John 1:8-10) What have I placed in the centre of my heart and thoughts that are taking me away from keeping my eyes on Jesus? Where have I placed my trust? (Jeremiah 17:5) On my own strength? On my peers? On my job and wealth? The fact that I am heathy and active? (James 4:14) Have I forgiven those who have wronged me? Or am I holding a grudge? (Colossians 3:13) Have I lamented and mourned over my sin?
You might be feeling tempted to stop reading now because it is all very negative, isn’t it. It is hard. This is the pruning bit, the weed pulling and the soil turning. But now for the feeding the heart with the good nutrients. This is also hard. It requires commitment and a real intention to practice what is good and right. Let’s check: have we been reading God’s word daily? (Deuteronomy 8:3) Are we meditating on it day and night? (Joshua 1:8) Are we spending time with other Christians to encourage and be encouraged (in church and outside church)? (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Have we been reading good, biblical Christian books? Do we remind ourselves that the Lord is working in us? (Philippians 1:6) Have we been modelling Christian living to our children? Our husbands? Our neighbours? Work colleagues? (Ephesians 5:8).
As we prepare for the most important celebration in the Christian calendar we must look deep into our hearts. We must let the light of Christ shine and reveal all the things that need to be changed in us so we can witness and grow closer to Him every day. Just imagine how much more fruit we will produce in the garden of our heart that is filled with more of Jesus.
Happy reflecting.
God bless.
Things of the heart 