As a child, holiness was inconceivable to me. Hovering somewhere beyond the clouds, it was reserved for God, priests, and popes ~ not mere peasants like me. Webster defines it as “a title of address used for high ecclesiastical dignitaries and especially for the pope.” So, I sang to a distant being. An obscure word sung to an obscure god. “Holy, Holy, Holy … only Thou art holy…”
Outside church, the word was misused and mumbled. “Well isn’t she holier-than-thou.” I heard other good words—even Jesus’ name—twisted ugly, muttered, or yelled. My sister cautioned me about that. I believed her because she seemed somehow connected to him.
I attended classes, performed sacraments, checked the boxes, and recited a prayer every night before bed just in case a sin snuck in that I didn’t know about. I wasn’t taking any chances. I believed a higher being existed, but feared it was watching and waiting to zap me with a lightning bolt. Mine was a faraway faith for sure, but it was all I knew. And I’m thankful for it.
But, holiness remained a superior secret—zipped up tight in an other-world feel, remote and unattainable. So, I figured if God was holy, he was distant and unreachable too. Now, I know that’s not true.
In Ezekial, we read “… I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” Jesus’ Spirit replaces our spirit. Our heart is now God-centered, not self-centered.
We still struggle. We still have limitations. We’re not perfect ~ whatever that is.
But, we have a perfect heart. A heart that’s teachable and committed to new life in Christ. It will lead us to a full, satisfying life. Not one without pain but one that reflects love and peace and joy in spite of it.
For this inside-out cleansing, “The Holy Spirit cannot be accepted as a guest in merely one room of the house—He invades all of it. And once I decide … my heredity of sin should [die], the Holy Spirit invades me. He takes charge of everything. My part is to walk in the light and to obey all that He reveals to me.”*
I’m in year twenty-seven of this lifelong journey. It’s been a bumpy-but-beautiful-to-God process. Yes, in this messy world ~ with our messy lives ~ a holy pursuit is possible.
Next time, we’ll go back to that little Arkansas church where I saw my first glimpse of down-to-earth holiness. It took me many years and countless tears to get there. But, God’s not distant. And he’s totally reachable.
May you find peace on your pursuit, my friends.
*Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
Photo found at Pixabay.com
Robin again you cease to amaze me
Your discernment of scripture can only be explained that you are a child of God. Only those who have been saved does God give the ability through the Holy Spirit to understand His word.
Your “nest” is so encouraging. Keep on keeping on! God bless you
Leon, Thank you so much for your encouragement. May we always glean abundant life from His word so we can continue to heal and grow and pass it on. Peace to you on your journey. And thank you again for your kind words:)