March 3rd, 2026
Dear Friends,
My shop is a mess but before you judge me, consider this. Mess comes in two ways: from idle disregard; from profitable labour. The first type is illustrated by that storage shed or that kitchen drawer that simply serves a a receptacle for all those things you don’t take the time to deal with properly. The second type of mess comes after a busy morning of baking or, in my case, two weeks of welding and grinding on a new project.
If, as I maintained last week, Lent is something like spring cleaning, except that we are focusing on the mess and clutter inside ourselves rather than the trails we leave on the outside (though those might be worthy of some disciplined effort as well), we now need to talk about what to do in order to clean up the mess. To aid us, I offer two quotes about William Wilberforce.
He now spent several hours daily in earnest study of the Scriptures. He also set aside time for self-examination and reflection, that he might better perform “the duties of life.” He believed that if he did not, “the most pressing claims will carry [my heart], not the strongest.” … “It is a sad fate for a man to die too well known to everybody else, and still unknown to himself.”
Like Benjamin Franklin … Wilberforce also developed the habit of keeping lists of virtues he wished to acquire, a program for practicing them, and rules for the best management of his time. Speaking of his practice, Franklin had wryly commented: “I was surprised to find myself so much fuller of faults than I had imagined; but then I had the satisfaction of seeing them diminish.” (William Wiberforce: A Hero for Humanity; 84,94)
By self-examination and honest reflection, we discover the mess and identify its cause. An independent standard is helpful here because it limits our self-deception. Our interior life and character are the focus of this exercise. We come to see both what we could and want to be, as well as what we are. By the way, the input of someone who knows us well is often critical here. Christian character develops in spiritual community.
Real change, the next step, occurs by grace in tandem with our wise efforts. Only God can produce the deepest change at the core of our being. But we have work to do as well. A list of virtues, a program for practicing them, and a commitment to manage your time accordingly will put you in a place where change is eminently possible. Then, you must persist, forming habits of “good,” not just good habits (because God is “good”). In a few situations, change may happen quickly but, for the most part, the change will be gradual. Patient waiting for grace; patient, persistent pursuit of the “good” will yield the results that will make you a better person and a wiser and deeper Christ-follower. From focusing on self and your mess you will begin to focus on others and their good.
Blessings!
Doug