“Yet
even now”, declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart,
with
fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and
not your garments.” (Joel 2.12-13)
Maintenant
encore, dit l’Eternel, revenez à moi de tout votre cœur,
avec
des jeûnes, avec des pleurs et des lamentations !
Déchirez
vos cœurs et non vos vêtements (Joel 2.12-13)
Daarom
zegt de Here: ‘Kom nu bij Mij terug, nu kan het nog. Geef Mij heel uw hart.
Kom met vasten, tranen en in rouw. Scheur van verdriet uw hart,
niet uw kleren!’ (Joel 2:12-13)
By the grace
of God, Lent can be very good season for ‘the heart’. How do we ‘rend our
hearts’? What does it mean to ‘tear’ the very centre of our being? It certainly
is an arresting image. Any lasting change will involve a change of heart, which
will require help from the One who is ‘gracious and merciful, and abounding in
steadfast love’. Spiritual disciplines like fasting praying, and practising generosity
(cf. Matthew 6) start from within and work their way out. All these are good
for the heart when done ‘in secret’. Note that the ‘hypocrites’ in the same
chapter take just the opposite approach. As in physical workouts, it might be
an idea to focus on just one particular ‘muscle group’ this season. You know
which area it is for you that needs a bit of practice. Otherwise ask God to
show you.
Alternatively,
you might opt to dwell on a book. If the phrase ‘soul fatigue’ resonates with
you, I can recommend John Ortberg’s ‘Soul Keeping: Caring for the most
important part of you’. If you are ready for something really thorough, I can
warmly recommend Dallas Willard’s ‘Renovation of the Heart’. A spiritual
formation classic! For those who read the book(s), why not get together after
Lent to compare notes? Not to show-off of course….
Create in me a clean heart,
O God,
and renew a right spirit
within me……
The sacrifices of God are a broken
spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O
God, you will not despise. (Psalm
51:10, 17)
Paul Vrolijk
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