I know I have been guilty of trying to cut something out of my life, like a food or an addictive app, only to replace it with something very similar but technically not the same. I tried to give up refined sugar, but then found myself looking for work arounds to put something sweet in my coffee, like sugar-free syrup. Or, I wanted to give up using Facebook, but then I found myself wasting the same amount of time watching YouTube. I know I need to make a change, but I don’t have the tools to quit cold-turkey, or I look for loopholes so I don’t really have to give up my addiction.

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The prophet Joel was trying to get the people of Israel to give up the things that were taking them from God. Unlike other minor prophets, he doesn’t even list their specific sins, assuming that the audience was familiar with all the ways God’s people had turned from him. He advises them to “rend their hearts and not their garments.”

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The word rend means to tear or rip. Tearing your clothes in ancient Israel was a sign of mourning or repentance. Joel clearly states that returning to the Lord isn’t just an outward behavior; it’s a heart change.  The Bible Project commentary said it this way – “repentance can’t just be a show you put on to get out of trouble.” Joel was calling on the people to stop their selfishness and evil and return to God. But Joel highlights that God, in light of all his character qualities listed, doesn’t just want religious rituals, he wants our hearts.

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Cutting out an unwanted behavior in our lives doesn’t automatically align our hearts again to the Lord, who is so gracious and merciful to us. Just checking the box of good behavior isn’t what the Lord desires.  The Message version of this verse says, “Change your life, not just your clothes.” Because of God’s goodness, we should not only flee from those things that are pulling us from him, but root ourselves firmly in his “abounding love,” which is what we are really after in the end anyway.

As we consider the idea of a reset this week when it comes to what we are allowing to disciple us, let’s take a look at how we are spending our time. Are we doing things for the Lord just for the outward appearance of doing good works? Do we need to replace some behaviors with things that are connecting us back to God’s heart for us and the world?

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A few weeks ago when I was sick, I spent several days on the couch, and I allowed myself basically unlimited screen time. But just like binging on junk food, by day three I felt not only physically sick but anxious and overstimulated. So the next day, I tried an experiment and committed to no social media or news, and every time I was tempted to open Facebook and scroll, I opened my Bible app and read a psalm instead. Let me tell you, this worked WAY better than I could have imagined. My spirit was encouraged, my anxious heart comforted, and it was deeply satisfying. It was just the reset I needed. I intentionally replaced what I was letting disciple me with God’s truths. I share this story not to brag, but as an encouragement that reading the Bible met my need in a way scrolling on my phone did not. I encourage you to try it this week, or something similar that replaces a behavior that you want to give up with a return to God and all that He is, which truly satisfies.

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God, you want our full devotion and the world wants us to numb out and satisfy our longings with shopping and scrolling. Help us turn our hearts to you, to inwardly surrender and not just outwardly preform or comply. We want more of you and less of us. May we return to you and your compassion and grace that truly satisfies. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.