“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Our journey of transformation continues during this Great Lent. After Awakening, Repentance, and Purification, we arrive at the fourth step: Renewal.

Renewal is more than removing sin; it is receiving new life. When a field is cleared of weeds, it must be planted with good seed. When the heart is cleansed, it must be filled with Christ. Lent is not simply subtraction — it is a holy replacement.

St. Symeon the New Theologian writes: “Do not say that it is impossible to receive the Spirit of God; rather, believe that you can be renewed.” Replace hurried prayer with attentive prayer. Replace idle scrolling with Scripture. Replace resentment with intercession. Begin small but begin consistently. Transformation grows through faithful repetition.

Notice the quiet shifts: greater patience in conversation, gentler responses under stress, deeper awareness in prayer. These are signs of renewal — evidence that grace is reshaping us from within. Today, ask the Lord not only to cleanse our heart, but to rebuild it. Invite Him to plant new desires, holy thoughts, and steadfast hope. Through renewal, transformation becomes visible — and the new creation begins to emerge.