Defining Moments
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
When I first read this scripture, I created my own definitions of the words that seemed to be most important. The passage made sense, but when reading several translations I found that one could possibly read the scripture differently. Just as Bible translations vary, definitions can also. Here are definitions from Dictionary.com:
Clean: morally pure; innocent; upright; honorableNew: other than the former or the old Steadfast: firmly fixed in place or position
Now read the scripture with these definitions and see if it says anything more to you. As we have experienced, words can have more than one interpretation. But what may be more difficult for us to do than arguing over the definitions of words, is defining things from God's perspective. Thankfully the Lord is willing to help define the parts of our lives. It's sort of like God offering a tag-team partnership to help us to define our lives. Recognizing this partnership is a defining moment for us unfolding as an ongoing process of courage and patience. And even when it does not seem that God is working to help us define our path in life, God is always on the job. We're human and we all make mistakes. But it's in times where we miss the mark that God's mercy shines through the most. Our failures and our sins cannot be overcome without his help. So hear the good news: God is ready and willing to help us define, rearrange and transform our thoughts and desires from our own will to his will. There are times in life when our sin will be overpowering with a relentless force, but God can reduce its power. God wants to purify our hearts and souls and make us new. It is he who, in the defining moments of our lives will come through. Will you allow him to change your definition for life? Will you let him take the parts of your life and make them his during this season of Lent? Erica Robinson Prayer: Lord, thank you for the love you've allowed me to receive. Thank you for your eagerness to help me define my life. I pray that you help direct my thoughts and desires so Iwill follow your word and commandments forever. Amen.
Clean: morally pure; innocent; upright; honorableNew: other than the former or the old Steadfast: firmly fixed in place or position
Now read the scripture with these definitions and see if it says anything more to you. As we have experienced, words can have more than one interpretation. But what may be more difficult for us to do than arguing over the definitions of words, is defining things from God's perspective. Thankfully the Lord is willing to help define the parts of our lives. It's sort of like God offering a tag-team partnership to help us to define our lives. Recognizing this partnership is a defining moment for us unfolding as an ongoing process of courage and patience. And even when it does not seem that God is working to help us define our path in life, God is always on the job. We're human and we all make mistakes. But it's in times where we miss the mark that God's mercy shines through the most. Our failures and our sins cannot be overcome without his help. So hear the good news: God is ready and willing to help us define, rearrange and transform our thoughts and desires from our own will to his will. There are times in life when our sin will be overpowering with a relentless force, but God can reduce its power. God wants to purify our hearts and souls and make us new. It is he who, in the defining moments of our lives will come through. Will you allow him to change your definition for life? Will you let him take the parts of your life and make them his during this season of Lent? Erica Robinson Prayer: Lord, thank you for the love you've allowed me to receive. Thank you for your eagerness to help me define my life. I pray that you help direct my thoughts and desires so Iwill follow your word and commandments forever. Amen.
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