Day Eight

Day Eight // February 25 // Whatever is Pure

“Best of all is it to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song.” – Konrad von Gesner –

There is a story of a spiritual master who became a legend in his lifetime. It was said that God once sought his advice: “I want to play a game of hide and seek with humankind. I’ve asked my angels: where is the best place to hide? Some say the depths of the ocean. Others, the top of the highest mountain. Others still say the far side of the moon or a distant star. What do you suggest?”

The spiritual master responded, “Hide in the human heart. That’s the last place they will think to look.”

That’s where God wants to live. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). Our goal is to let our hearts beat with Jesus’ values. To be real. To be authentic. When our hearts are pure, every part of life is ministry.

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In the 19th century, the Danish theologian SØren Kierkegaard, wrote a book entitled, “Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing.” His purpose was to prepare Christians for confessing their sins by challenging them to be honest about their inner dividedness. We mistakenly think we are willing goodness. We think we want to do what God wills, but we really want something else entirely. We think we have repented, but we really have been impatient. We must decide. A pure heart translates our intentions into actions.

The Greek word for pure means to be clean, blameless, unstained from guilt. It means to be the real deal. When we are pure, we practice our faith without agenda or pretense. We don’t give for recognition or praise; we simply want to let God’s love shine from our hearts.

When we are pure, we love the unlovable. We care about those for whom Jesus would give His life. A pure heart prevents our eyes from becoming jaundiced. Rather than judging the sins of others, we look for ways to help, to encourage, and to shine light into the darkness.