As we head into Holy Week, I want to pause and invite you to take a breath.
There’s a little book in the Old Testament—Joel—that speaks right into this moment. It’s not long, but it packs a punch. Joel helps us prepare our hearts for what this next week really means. And his message is this: God is ready to move in your life, but he’s not going to fight for space. He wants you to make room; that’s the invitation of Holy Week.
What Joel Reminds Us
Joel was a thoughtful prophet. He didn’t come swinging with lists of what everyone was doing wrong, instead, pointing out that something was off. Something was broken. And his call wasn’t to just act more religious; it was to come back to God with an undivided heart.
It’s a message that hits home still today.
Joel’s words remind us that God isn’t after surface-level religion. He’s after real, honest, heart-level relationship, the kind that says, “Lord, I’m tired of carrying this. I need you to help me here.”
And even the warnings in Joel aren’t meant to scare us. They’re there because God loves us. Like any good parent, he gives us heads-up when we’re drifting into danger, not to condemn us, but to protect us … to draw us back.
That’s what Holy Week is for—coming back. Making room again.
What Real Repentance Looks Like
One of the most powerful lines in Joel is this: “Rend your heart, not your garments.” In other words, we aren’t to just go through the motions or try to look spiritual. He wants us to be honest with him. To be completely and totally real.
Here’s what that might look like this week:
- Bring your whole heart to God—not just the parts you think he wants.
- Choose humility. You don’t have to have it all together!
- Stop hiding. God sees it all anyway, and he’s still full of grace.
Real repentance isn’t about guilt trips. It’s about making space for healing, restoration, and freedom.
What God Does in Response
Here’s the good news: when we make space for him, he comes.
Joel prophesied that God would pour out his Spirit on all people—men, women, young, old, rich, poor, a promise that came to life in Acts 2 at Pentecost. And it’s still happening today.
God is still in the business of breaking down walls—between generations, between social classes, between people who think they’re too far gone. The Holy Spirit unites us. Fills us. Leads us.
But here’s the thing: the Spirit doesn’t compete with our clutter. He doesn’t force his way into a heart that’s already packed full. Again: we have to make room.
A Challenge for This Week
As we enter Holy Week, I want to leave you with a challenge—something to actually do.
First, ask yourself:
- Am I just going through the motions, or do I really want to meet with God this week?
- Is there any part of my life I’m keeping closed off from him?
- What would it look like to open that space up?
And then, I want to challenge you to do four things:
- Open your heart to God. Not just a little—fully. Give him access to everything.
- Confess what needs to be confessed. Don’t carry guilt or shame into Easter weekend. Let it go.
- Participate fully. Be present in Holy Week. Show up expecting to encounter Jesus—not just at church, but in your home, your drive, your quiet moments.
- Welcome the Spirit’s work. Ask him to move. Then slow down long enough to listen.
Let’s be people who don’t just talk about resurrection—but who actually live like it’s possible.
Because it is.
There is nothing so lost that God can’t restore it. Not a year. Not a relationship. Not a heart.
If you’ll make room for him—he’ll come.
He always does.
I love being your pastor—
Brady