JuJu DeJean
- Kjelder
- Mar 16
- 2 min read
Lent is a time of self-reflection, repentance, and renewal.
My name is JuJu DeJean. I have been a part of this amazing community at St. Alban’s for four months now. At St. Alban’s, I sing at recharge and am a part of the student vestry. .
“I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.” Isaiah 65:17
Devotional
This passage from the book of Isaiah is a beautiful example of renewal and growth. In
the beginning, the passage states, “I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the
former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.” When I first read this part, my brain
immediately went to Noah’s Ark and how God flooded the earth. However, the meaning is
entirely different here. God is saying through Isaiah that the world to come will bring forth so
much joy and renewal that the past sorrows and sadness will no longer matter.
Reading this passage felt like I was taking a giant leap forward. During Lent, you usually give something up like a bad habit or whatever it may be and replace that void with more scripture or something placebo. The season of Lent is all about self-reflection, repentance and renewal. In the middle of the passage, God says, “...my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” From what I understand, God is saying He wants us (His chosen) to enjoy the blessed life we live here on earth and rejoice in His creation as we build our fruitful lives with the free will He has given us; but to rejoice in Him while doing so just as He rejoices in us.
For me, personally, every now and then, I need a little push forward. I have a terrible habit of putting myself down and procrastinating because I feel like I’m not doing something right. Reading scripture like this one and many others really pushes me to keep going and to not be afraid of failure and “Nike” every obstacle put in my path, because God does not fail. What is meant for you will just be.
