Lent and our holy affection
A woman sees her neighbour hanging the laundry outside. “That laundry is not very clean”, she said. “She doesn’t know how to wash.” Her husband looked on in silence. Every time her neighbour would hang her washing to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.
Some time later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean laundry on the line and said to her husband: “Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this.”
“The husband said, “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”
We can use Lent to clean the window of our lives, to get rid of all the crud, so that we can see clearly again. The Lord tells us, "Return to me with your whole heart. Render your hearts to me" (Joel 2:12-13).
Lent is a time for love! Biblical writers use the metaphor of marriage to describe our relationship with God. The people are the bride, and time and again God’s people do not act like God’s people. YHWH is a relentless suitor sending love letters through his prophets.
Eventually, through mutual affection, the identity of the partners in a marriage will begin to become more similar. It is said that after many years together a husband and wife become more like each other. They act the same, react the same, and may even begin to look alike.
We hope this is true in our metaphorical partnership with God. On paper, at least, the church or people of God have recorded many sermons, letters and writings about the covenant relationship between God and us. We have many rituals illustrating this evident in the season of Lent and Easter.
Prayer is the most important sign of our fidelity. Returning to the Lord often and faithfully is the greatest sign of love. A wedding photo went viral on the internet. In it we see a groom and a bride sitting next to each other, holding hands. They do not look at each other. The young woman cries while the man looks down. What can that mean?
Corporal Caleb Earwood wished to have a moment of prayer with his future wife before they married. The photographer confessed that this was one of the most emotional moments he captured in his entire career as a wedding photographer.
What are the signs that we are faithful to God this Lent? Eighteenth century revivalist Jonathan Edwards gives us ten signs of holy affection toward God:
1.Submissive Respect – Is God the authority in your life? Is Jesus Christ your Lord?
2. Scriptural Obedience - Are you in rebellion against God's Word or in submission to it?
3. Societal Rejection - Do the world, your money, and your possessions mean more to you than Jesus Christ and His approval?
4. Steadfast Faithfulness - Are you faithful in regular fellowship with God's people in a local church?
5. Second Coming Anticipation – Are you looking forward to the coming of Jesus in your life?
6. Sin Sensitivity– Does your sin bother you?
7. Sibling Love – Are Christian brothers and sisters your dearest friends?
8. Supplications Answered – Do you talk to God regularly and are you aware of specific answers to your prayers?
9. Sharp discernment - Do you believe Jesus Christ is God and do you have a strong church affiliation?
10. Spirit Awareness - Do you have a conscious awareness that the Holy Spirit of God lives in you?
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