A few years ago the melted snow in the mountains flooded parts of our residential Calgary neighborhood. Damage was so severe that the foundations of homes had to be dug out and rebuilt. Sin has this effect in our lives. Dying to self, is not a bad thing considering that the foundation for our old “self” is damaged beyond any salvage; it needs a major renovation! Only Jesus can do this renovation of our lives. Accept Him as your interior designer, and let Him toss out what needs to go!

Lent is coming to an end and if my Lenten sacrifices are not uniting me to a deeper dependence upon the Lord as the source of my peace and joy, then let’s get moving! Make a list of 10 people or circumstances that irk me. Carry that list with me, and when I experience in thought or presence one of those agitations from this list, I will die to self in Christ by doing the opposite of what “I” feel; that is return an act of love for the unpleasantness I feel about it.