It’s that time of year again—time for spring cleaning and taking care of our gardens. For me, listening to the birds chirping, throwing open the windows, and feeling the warm breeze along with the smell of fresh flowers in the air is wonderful (although my allergies might suggest otherwise). On a warm, sunny spring day, if you’re anything like me, you roll your car windows down and shout, “Welcome back Spring!”

Friends, as we continue our journey through this season of Lent, it is important that we also spring clean our hearts so we can live the resurrection life with Christ. It’s like letting the spring breeze flow through the windows of our homes to air out all the stale corners that have not seen the light of day since before winter.  If we’re ambitious, we may even dust the cobwebs from those hard-to-reach places and I’m certain there are parts of our hearts that could use the same treatment. Corners of our souls that haven’t seen the light of day in a long time. As you look around and notice those first little flower buds bursting out of the ground from death to life and trees regaining their leaves, I pray your heart is awakened and rejuvenated. 

When we decide to follow Christ and clothe ourselves in His righteousness through baptism, the old ways fade away like snow in early spring. We can open wide the windows of our hearts and breathe deeply of new mercies every morning. We’re released from the chains of sin and made new by the same Holy Spirit power that raised Jesus from the dead. In Christ, we are raised to new life and walk in new ways, running from glory to glory.

I want to share an illustration from one of my favorite movies, O Brother, Where Art Thou? Now, the movie isn’t without its blemishes, but it tells a powerful story of faith, sin, and the redemptive power of God Most High. As Christians, this is something we can relate to as we run the race set before us, seeking our fortune—not the fleeting fortunes of this world, but the everlasting fortune awaiting us when Christ comes in final victory! 

I want to refer to the scene when three escapees from a 1920s southern prison—Everett, Delmar, and Pete—have just narrowly escaped the sheriff and his bloodhounds. As they take a break from their escapade, they stop to build a fire, eat, and rest when suddenly they hear voices singing in the distance. Bewildered, the three men look around and soon find themselves caught up in the spirit of a riverside revival.

The draw becomes irresistible for Delmar as he sees a chance for redemption. He runs as fast as he can and stumbles into the water. He confesses his sin and gets baptized by the preacher right then and there. When he emerges sputtering from the water, he staggers out while declaring his newfound faith and salvation, “Well that’s it, boys. I’ve been redeemed. The preacher’s done warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It’s the straight and narrow from here on out, and heaven everlasting’s my reward.” To which George Clooney’s character asks, “Delmar, what are you talking about? We’ve got bigger fish to fry.” And Delmar replies, “The preacher says all my sins is warshed away, including that Piggly Wiggly I knocked over in Yazoo.” His friend points out, “I thought you said you was innocent of those charges?” Delmar recoils slightly and then happily remembers, “Well I was lyin’. And the preacher says that that sin’s been warshed away too. Neither God nor man’s got nothin’ on me now. C’mon in boys, the water is fine.” ^[1]

I can hardly watch this scene without tearing up as I reflect on the day I stood knee-deep in creek water holding my husband’s hand as we watched our two oldest daughters be immersed in the waters of baptism during their summer youth camp. With tears rolling down my cheeks, I was also reminded of my commitment to follow Christ. While I certainly didn’t “knock over a Piggly Wiggly” like Delmar did to earn his jail sentence, I have certainly had my share of mistakes. I’ve had sin in my life that I longed to have washed away–yearning for the ultimate spring cleaning of my soul to lead me to freedom in Christ Jesus.

As the movie continues, Delmar keeps his promise–walking as a new creation in Christ. While his friends and those around him remain somewhat “rough around the edges,” the movie illustrates Everett’s repentance at the gallows and later gives an allusion to their salvation. And while O Brother, Where Art Thou is not a Christian film, nor does it claim to be, in this particular scene, Delmar’s response reminds me of 2 Cor.5:17 (NLT):

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Friends, every single day presents us with an invitation to throw off the old ways and run toward new life in Christ. We are invited to lean into the love of Jesus, embrace the

redemption offered to us, and live our lives truly empowered by the Holy Spirit. So, what spring cleaning needs to be done in your soul? 

Come on in, dear friend. The water is fine.

Soli Deo gloria
Pastor Jen

^[1] https://taylormarshall.com/2009/02/o-brother-where-art-thou-baptism-and.html