During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, the worldwide slowdown in factory production, pollution and travel had an amazing effect on cities around the world.

In Venice, which previously had murky, dirty, lifeless canals because of the constant boat traffic, water pollution and cruise ships, the canals became clear and fish were swimming in them. In India, because of the lack of air pollution, people in the state of Punjab could now see the Himalayan mountains for the first time in decades.

The lockdown was only in place for a few months and nature just naturally began healing itself. After the lockdown was lifted, Venice had to choose if it values tourism over clean and healthy canals, and Punjab had to decide if it values industrialization over clean air.

We face the same question in our lives — what will we value the most? The world around us throws pollutants at us all the time, negative thinking, gossip, sexualized and violent media, greed and more.

We can come to assume that pollution is normal and there is nothing we can do about living a polluted life. Allowing sin, hurtful thoughts, words or actions, into our lives clouds our view of the world around us and our view of ourselves.

Ultimately, sin damages our relationship with God and those that God has put into our lives.

We can choose to let go of the practices and habits which allow pollution to enter into our lives. 

Romans 12:1 says:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Once we make the choice to free ourselves from polluting influences our spirits, minds and relationships begin to be renewed.

God’s original intent for us was to be clean and wholesome. What will we value most? The tantalizing draw of worldly pollution? Or the clarity and beauty that comes with being pollution-free?