I’m looking at you, granola bar remnants

Approximate Reading Time: 4.75 minutes

Companion Scripture Reading: Exodus 12

Topic: Facing our sins

Key Verse: And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come. Exodus 12:4

Passover has become a top Biblical holiday for me in recent years (there is a whole story behind it but that is not for today). But, can I tell you the part of Passover that I don’t love? 

In the week before Passover you are supposed to remove leaven from your home. This means removing yeast and products with yeast as an ingredient (or anything that helps a baked good rise).

God uses leaven throughout scripture as a symbol of sin. No—eating food with leavening agents is not a sin, it is simply what He uses as an object lesson of sorts. Obviously, when you remove leaven from your home, you must search for it. Sweep out your cabinets and pantry to remove any remnants of the old leaven. To be thorough, one would even make sure that aprons, coats, and other such items would be cleaned to remove any crumbs from the home. Yes, I’m looking at you, granola bar remnants in the bottom of a purse and chip crumbs between couch cushions. Not to mention that old hot dog bun that got accidentally shoved behind other food or that leftover bit of casserole hiding in the fridge. Consider it a really good, deep spring clean.

What’s the purpose? To remind us of sin and how it can creep into every part of our lives—oftentimes without us even realizing. Those couch cushion crumbs can remind me of the shows I’ve watched (that I shouldn’t) and the wasted time spent on the couch. Searching every ingredient list helps me be more aware of what I put in my body and if I am caring for myself and those I love well. Moldy casserole in the fridge reminds me of the sins I’m so used to that I may not even notice them anymore.

Unfortunately, this year has been different. I forgot about removing leaven from my home (or at least that is the story I tell myself.) Maybe there is somewhere inside me that simply didn’t want to deal with it this year? I’m not sure. But–there is still time.

While I did not remove the leaven from my home according to the way scripture tells us to, that doesn’t mean that I can’t still do it. It simply means I am behind by a few days. So maybe I still will. Or not.

See, that “or not” is the biggest problem. The issue isn’t leftover leavened products; it’s my intentions. And that tells me where I am with God right now. I am skipping repentance and allowing hidden sins to stay hidden. I am not searching out the actions I need to remove, but instead I’m ok with them remaining hidden. Because, after all, if no one else sees them, what does it matter?

Well, it matters to me. My spiritual complacency leaves me wrestling with the choice of confronting or ignoring my sin.  And that makes me sad. More than sad, honestly, it is devastating. Relationships with people can come and go. Marriages have their difficulties. Kids grow up. Friends leave. But God is always there, always willing, and always waiting while I am over here trying to decide if I want to remove the obstacles standing between us–or not.

That is spiritually devastating. And satan rejoices.

It sounds like it is time for a good spiritual spring cleaning as well! 

Jehovah Mekadesh—The Lord Who Sanctifies, I am saddened at the way I have allowed myself to become so comfortable with sin that I have to think twice before being willing to do the work to remove it.

I ask for Your undeserved forgiveness and am determined to be willing again to chase out anything that should not be here. Will You please reveal to me what is causing this? Where have I let the enemy sneak in and use my spirit as a dumping ground for complacency and acceptance of what is wrong? Only Your truth and strength can help me face what I need to and I ask You for those as well.

Thank You for being willing when I repent to help me. I find myself again battling with the thoughts that I don’t deserve Your help and why would You consider helping me after my refusal to listen? But scripture tells me that You are always there, and experience tells me that You have never failed me.

Thank You for that. THIS is the story of what Passover means to me on a personal level. Help me to take Your Holy days more seriously moving forward.

Amen