Pure in Heart
Someone attempted to show me an x-ray image on the phone of a pre-surgery condition. I quickly declined the offer. She explained it was only a picture. She was not about to remove the bandages to show me the actual wound. Once again, I declined. Picture or in-person, the impact on me would be the same: wooziness and nausea. I do not want to see the insides of anyone, no matter how “minor” the medical situation seems to be.
To see beyond the veil of skin is one matter, to see beyond the veil of the natural into the supernatural is an offer I would readily accept. Although, the actuality of doing so would make me faint just like Daniel and John did in the presence of the Divine. This offer is not just to a certain few. Any person can choose to see beyond the limits of this world if one is willing to meet certain conditions.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
I have read this verse many times, yet it struck me differently this week. Usually, I have considered that those who are uncorrupted by the world would have special revelations of God in this life and of course in the life to come. However, I think the verse speaks to even more. Could it be that the pure in heart choose to see God in every situation of life? They look past the circumstances, whether good or bad, and see the Lord who is behind it all, sovereignly reigning over every event.
I am not pure in heart. I look at the situations and often get angry at God for not “fixing” them. I do not see the Lord as orchestrating things for good, but standing by and doing nothing. I am not viewing the Lord for I am seeking after my own opinions or desires in the circumstances. Thus, I miss Him, and I miss the blessing promised.
If I am not seeing God, then I am not pure in heart. If I am not pure in heart, then somehow my heart is polluted. What is the problem? A spiritual x-ray would show a heart in trauma from past hurts, shell-shocked by the actions of others, wounded from mistreatment, torn apart from betrayal. Yet, I hold onto what I should let go, only harming myself in the process.
But if these leftover emotions stemming from circumstances were removed, what would I see? God allowed certain events in order to protect me from further harm. He knew I would not rescue myself so He forced a rescue of me. I would see the Lord wanted to teach me to stop enabling wrong behaviors, to stand on truth not approval, to let Him be the Savior and not me. I think I would see God’s comfort when I wanted a fix, God’s lessons over time when I sought for quick resolutions, God’s healing when I wanted answers, God’s patience when I had emotional temper tantrums.
The pure in heart see God. What are we seeing? People? Circumstances? Loss? Unresolved situations? Broken relationships? We must look past what attempts to pollute our hearts. A pure heart sees God behind every piece of life. When we see Him, truly see Him, the other pieces seem insignificant in light of who He is to us and for us. Look for God today.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.