By: Alana
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)
Purity is something we don’t talk about much because we think it’s impossible, which of course makes it less possible. What does Jesus mean by “pure in heart”? Here’s my guess. First thing we need to remember is that when Jesus talks about “heart” he seems to view it as the source of our will, not our emotions. So this is an anti-multitasking statement. Jesus wants us to have a singular and pure intension to our lives: to love God and our neighbor. Soren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher said, ‘purity of heart is to will one thing.’ When the purpose and drive of our life is love — on the horizontal and vertical dimensions — don’t we see God all around us? We do because John tells us “God is love.” Jesus wants us to assess our motivations and come home to the thing that makes us truly human: loving God and people. What are you going to do with your heart today?
Lord, I praise you that you are in sense ‘seeable.’ Forgive me when I waste my will on things that don’t really mater. Today I will ready-aim-fire my life at loving you and people and look forward to seeing you often. Amen.
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Steve Moore
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