This Lent, I addressed my warts.
I had plantar warts. They didn’t hurt or affect my day-to-day life, so why get rid of them? Well, warts are a virus, so I could unintentionally pass them to others. Getting rid of them was more painful and gross than I expected.
We all have warts that may not seem to bother us but can be passed on to others. Our little bit of annoyance, gossiping, selfishness, etc. — these can rub off on others and infect them.
Our society is obsessed with transformation shows. It’s a lot harder to get into spiritual transformations, though. The little things we seem to do often go unnoticed. We may feel transformed, but everything around us stays the same. It’s hard not to let the warts of the world get to you. You often address the same wart over and over. It’s much easier to celebrate remodeling your kitchen than being patient. Because chances are something will annoy you again in .2 seconds.
It’s difficult to look at our spiritual warts, but God promises it is worth it. There’s a quote that says, “One day you will dance light-footed on the high peaks.” A spiritual transformation is hard because you have to do a lot of work and go through suffering. The only way I can keep going is by focusing on the little glimpses I see of God along the way. The times I see God always change me, and they always make it worth it.
I pray that this Lent in whatever you gave up or did it helped you to transform your warts. I pray God gives you a glimpse of how your small acts are a beautiful transformation. I pray we can all dance into this Easter season light-footed and wart free.
Piper is the youth/young-adult minister at St. Paul Church in Webster.
