I’ve always been impressed by the appearance of my congregations. When I stood up to preach I saw a group of well-dressed, smiling people. Not infrequently I thought, ‘What do I have to say to these people? They look as though they have it all together, while I know that I don’t.”
As I gained life experience I began to understand the power of a good exterior. And I began to understand that they were no more together than I. We were all wrestling with failures, chronic sinfulness, and various expressions of pride. But we all try to at least look good, thinking we can keep our brokenness hidden.
No.
Jesus and his disciples were accused of impurity. They neglected to follow the traditions of the Jewish nation. For example, before eating a devout Jew would engage in a ceremonial cleansing of his hands and arms. When Jesus and his disciples didn’t, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law who always followed (watching) Jesus asked the “why not?” question. He simply answered that we are not defiled by what we do on the outside, but by what comes from our heart. “For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within, they are what defile you.”
Every one of us will find ourselves in that list. Solomon counseled, “Be careful how you load your heart, for what you put in will come out.”
The instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if your self is not kept clean and bright, your glimpse of God will be blurred—like the moon seen through a dirty telescope. We can follow a heavy load of religious traditions and actions, while maintaining a broken interior. To do so prolongs the agony, holds God at arm’s length, and delays God’s cleansing presence. Religion is not helpful. Honesty is.
Prayer: “Merciful Father, help me to be honest…not to hide…especially from you. Load my heart with your presence and save me from my own deceit. Wash this stained soul of mine so that you might again see me as pure in your sight. Keep me in your arms. In the name of Jesus, who died so that my sin might be forgiven, Amen.”