Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Clean Heart - Part Nine

I hope some of you are enjoying this study - but even so, it has been very helpful to me and has offered me great accountability by sharing it here.

Moving on to the next question, "Am I afraid of truly pursuing a clean heart?"

Here is what I journaled on this question:

The short answer is: YES! Ok, now let me expand on this thought...

It is a bit frightening to pursue a clean heart because I am fully aware of the fact that there are unclean things in my heart that will need to be cleansed in order that I may be pure. Sometimes these areas are more difficult than others and I fear the pain and humility that will be required along the way.

"Then He said to them all, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.'" ~ Luke 9:23

I'm reminded of a quote by C.S. Lewis:

"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."

This is why I'll need to go back and consider why it is so important to have a clean heart. And, if I'm really honest with myself - I truly do want to have a clean and pure heart. I know that nothing clean comes from being lax or lazy.

It's easy to create clutter, a mess, allow things to remain dirty. Cleanliness takes a lot of work - consistent effort and discipline.

Wow - that can be applied in so many areas: my heart, my home, you name it. In the end - yes I'm afraid to truly and completely pursue a clean heart - but I'm even more afraid of refusing to.

As a dear friend says,

"Lord, You know I'm not willing. But, I'm willing to be made willing."


I'd love to hear your thoughts...

The next question we'll answer is "Does my life reflect a clean heart?" However, I'm planning to take a break from this series to share Valentine ideas and then pick it up again after that. Thanks for all of your great comments yesterday!

9 comments:

mama k said...

That Lewis quote is right on. I definitely feel that way a lot. I know that God often uses trials to change us and make us grow. (Is it Philipians where is says trials produces perserverance which produces character?)
Anyway, sometimes I don't want to change because I know that it might be painful.

*carrie* said...

Monica,

I agree--I really like that C.S. Lewis quote and don't remember reading it before.

Love you much and thinking of you a ton!

Anonymous said...

Hi Monica,

I agree, change is difficult. But when we reject a clean heart, aren't we rejecting God's best for our lives? Thanks for making us think!
Ruth, PA

Katy said...

Loved this post Monica! :)
I totally agree with you. I look forward to continuing this study as well as the v-day stuff you have coming up! :)

I hope you are feeling well!!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, thought-filled study Monica. Thank you so much-tammyp
ps-My pastors wife quotes that cs lewis passage and i agree,it it right on.

Anonymous said...

I am truly enjoying these. Thank you for sharing them with us. All that you have said is so true. It is easier to just turn a blind eye to what truly needs attention. It is hard to change.
I hope this finds you well.
Ruth

Charlotte Cushman said...

I am not willing either. But I am willing to be made willing.

How are you feeling?

Dianna said...

Yes! I am so afraid to put my life into God's hands sometimes because I'm afraid that I won't want what He wants. I think aligning my will with His will be the biggest challenge of my life, and in some ways, the only one.

Anonymous said...

Enjoying your post on this. Love the quote by C.S. Lewis.

Thinking of you a bunch!