You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purify me from my sins, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:6-7 NRSV/NLT)
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the season of Lent. At WFPC we offered two worship opportunities, one before lunch and one after supper. For me this served as an opportunity to set my intention toward a season of self examination and inner cleansing on my personal road to Jerusalem, the Cross, and Easter morning.
I set my intention toward a season of self examination…
I really appreciate the words of Psalm 51. There’s a lot to learn from this scripture, especially in this era when truth seems to have lost its bearing. God – the Psalmist writes – wants us to experience truth at the deepest levels of our own being. Stop casting aspersions at others, look into our own hearts! Simply reflect, and meditate, and pray, and seek God to the extent that we experience truth where it really counts, and that is in an honest, open-spirited relationship with God.
Purify me from my own sins! This is the journey I’m taking over the next few weeks; Reaching toward Easter.
So yesterday evening, as scores of people lined up to receive the mark of the cross in ashes, I felt drawn toward the desire for truth in my inner being. It’s going to be quite a journey.
I felt drawn toward the desire for truth in my inner being. It’s going to be quite a journey.
Peace – DEREK
