Renew Your Spirit to Love and Be Loved

This is our B moment. Our moment to be still…to be fed by the Word of God…to be grateful.

Scripture reference: James 4:8 (ESV)

Today, both love and spiritual renewal are in the air as it is both Valentine’s day and the first day of the Lent season. It is the perfect day to love and be loved as well as to acknowledge your own spiritual growth.

Since it is the first day of Lent, I can easily recall the times I started a fast and was not able to keep up with it. I also distinctly remember the times that I gave up something in particular, like red wine or sweets, and then was invited to a social outing where I ended up going back on my word.

I also recollect the times when I fasted with a group of ladies to further my intimacy with the group, rather than to deepen my relationship with God.

Yet today, those days are behind me. I’ve learned to give up those things that create a distance between myself and God. For instance, rather than just giving up sweets and coffee, I work to give up worry, anxiety, impatience, and the need to be right.

When I give up the things that distance me from God, I can feel myself going into a deeper communion with Him. This renews my spirit. When I’m feeling renewed, it also means I’m in a better place to love and to be loved.

Therefore, remember to do two things. One: acknowledge yourself for how far you have come on your journey. Two: identify a behavior that you need to let go. This, in turn, will allow you to go deeper with God.

While you do that, recall these few words: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8 (ESV)

Please share this reflection as others desire to be inspired.

So today, renew your spirit to love and be loved.