Bible Reading Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

Within the last couple of weeks, we in Dallas experienced a record snow fall of over 12 inches in 24 hours. In fact, it’s been a very "wintery" winter here in Dallas. If we get two more inches of snow, this will be the snowiest winter ever. Lucky me, my last winter in Milwaukee was the snowiest winter there too. How many people can claim they’ve been around for that historical event in two separate cities?

What was really fun to see in Dallas was the kids who had never seen that much snow. There were snowmen everywhere and some school-sponsored snowball fights. Most adults who lived in Texas their whole life had never seen that much snow fall at once. Those of you who have read me for years know of my dislike for snow (and shoveling), yet even I enjoyed the quiet and beauty of the snowfall. Even our loss of power for over 15 hours didn’t damper a kind of "renewal" inside me for the joy of a snowfall. True, I really appreciated the fact that all the snow was gone in three days and I never had to shovel. One large snowfall was enough, but I do have to admit I liked it.

This time of the school year is also when educators and students alike may need a renewal. The dreaded length of time between Christmas and spring break has settled in. It seems like school has lost much of its beginning luster and has become a monotonous litany of the same schedule, the same classes, and the same words day after day after day after day….

I realized recently that I have allowed some of my worship practices to follow this same pattern. I need a renewal. Many of the words of worship have become monotonous to me. I have allowed the words to be just words, devoid of the rich blessings God has instilled in them. The very words I used at the beginning of this devotion are words I have sung in many services, yet I wonder how many times they have meant anything to me. Just as I allowed the tediousness of many snowfalls to take the joy away from me, I seemed to have lapsed into the same dangerous situation in my worship practices. I need a renewal of my spirit, and it’s not something I can do. Just as the Psalmist prayed for God to renew his spirit and create a clean heart, I too need that infusion of cleanliness.

The fresh fallen snow covered up the dirt of the earth and gave a glimmer of purity until the dirt and pollution of the world messed it up again. That process is repeated so many times in my own life. God’s forgiveness is ever-present in my life. Thanks to the daily regeneration of my soul, because of my baptism and through His word as well as body and blood offered to me in communion, I am purified on a regular basis. Yet, the sin of my life dirties that cleanliness and affects everything I do. That includes worship, my life as an educator, and every relationship I have.

We are in the Lenten season, which calls us to remember the sacrifice of Jesus made because of our sinfulness. Our worship styles and words are often tempered during these weeks. Yet, Lent always ends with Easter and the joy of our renewal of life in Christ. That is a feeling I don’t want to forget. With God’s blessing and the strength of the Holy Spirit, I won’t. I can be renewed each day. No matter the style or words of worship God’s love is alive in me.

The real key to me is remembering that I cannot cause this renewal. It must come through God. Do you know someone; maybe even yourself, who needs renewal right now? I suggest you pray those same words of the Psalmist, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Put your name or the name of someone you are concerned about right into this short prayer; it will make it much more personal.

While I was okay with the brief renewal of snow, I’m much more excited about the renewal of spring and warm weather. Spring break and Easter are right around the corner, but the constant renewal that is ours through God is available every day!

David Bangert

Executive Director

Dallas Lutheran School

Dallas Texas

© 2010 David Bangert

Scripture quotations identified as NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.