Renew our spirits

Renew our spirits

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."  Psalm 51:10

After this long winter, I am sure enjoying the warmer weather.  As I ran this morning, I couldn't help but breathe in the beauty of spring.  Everywhere I cast my gaze, signs of new life are springing up.   The trees are beginning to bud coloring the landscape with shades of white and purple and daffodils are peeking out everywhere.   It seems the birds are taking notice too. Their songs of joy seem to get louder every morning.   And the smells.... everything smells new!

Spring is a time for renewal, a time for a fresh start.   It's a time for forgiveness and a new beginning.  In Psalm 51:1-12, David makes a confession and prays for forgiveness pleading with God to cleanse him and to create in him a new heart.   Matthew 5:8 says, "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God."  

But what does it mean to have a pure heart?  The Greek word for "pure" is katharos which means to be "clean, blameless, unstained from guilt.".  The Greek word for "heart" is kardeeah which can be applied to the physical heart but also refers to the spiritual center of life.  It is where our thoughts, our will, our desires and character reside.  So, to be pure in heart means to be blameless in who we actually are.  

The pure heart has no hypocrisy, hate or hidden motives.  Matthew 12:34 says, "For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." You can be sure that the condition of your heart can be seen by the condition of your speech too.  A pure heart has an uncompromising desire to please God in all things and to walk with Him through all things.  And a steadfast spirit is one that is immovable, fixed in place and not subject to change-a person completely determined to follow Christ no matter the cost.

If you are longing to be that person that follows Christ no matter the cost, now is the perfect time to renew your relationship with Him.  Maybe you've drifted away or just let life get between you and Jesus.  O maybe, like David, you made some bad choices that led you astray.  Whatever the reason, you can make a fresh start by simply confessing your sins and asking God to cleanse you.

There's no better time than today!!!    

Heavenly Father, thank you for your gift of forgiveness upon the confession of our sins.  Create in us a pure heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within us.  Let this be the beginning of our "new life"- a life centered around You.  In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Turn it up!!!