PRAYER

O God, Author and Restorer of peace, grant us this day the power to do what is right in Your sight. Lead us away from temptation and onto a righteous path. Amen.

READING

Isaiah 1:10-20 (NLT)

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

I will make them as white as snow.

Though they are red like crimson,

I will make them as white as wool.

¹⁹ If you will only obey me,

you will have plenty to eat.

REFLECTION

Back in the early 2000s, I was a young university student living my best life. I remember one day specifically, because it was my birthday, and I was wearing a brand new white long sleeve t-shirt from my favourite store (Jacob, sadly its gone now). My hair was nicely spiked (like Meg Ryan in You've got Mail. It was the style, I swear), and wearing wool socks with my Birkenstocks because that was the uniform in Calgary (where I was living at the time). I was walking to class drinking coffee out of my trés chic Qatar Starbucks travel mug when my sandal caught on the floor and I tripped, thus spilling my coffee all down my shirt. You cannot hide coffee on white clothing. What an embarrassment! Oh the shame! If it wasn't for my A-type personality that requires me to attend all scheduled classes so I won't miss class notes and get good grades, I would have turned around and gone home. I felt embarrassed because the coffee stain was obvious and unsightly.

Our sin is also a stain, a spot, a reminder that we have fallen short. Sometimes we try to make amends for the bad things we do by being extra kind or extra generous thinking this will remove the spot but these acts, although good in and of themselves, will not remove the stain. The only way to remove the stain of sin is to ask God for forgiveness. In the Scripture reading God says although our sins are red, God will make them as white as snow. A complete removal! What a blessed relief that God is faithful and just to forgive our sins when we confess them. In the Anglican tradition, we confess our sins collectively each Sunday. Being mindful that we are works in progress keeps us humble, and humility is a quality the world needs a lot more of. The Holy Spirit will remind us of our mistakes and gently nudge us to confess. After we confess, we must let go of the shame from our mistakes because God has completely forgiven us. God does not forget but choses not to remember. That is grace!

LENT CHECK IN

Try taking a moment to sit in silence with God. Sit comfortably, relax your hands, close your eyes and ask God to show you an area in your life that could use improvement. Begin by thinking about your day/night. If anything stands out, talk to God about it.

Consider saying the confession prayer each night this week.