Listen:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalms 51:10 AMP)
Reflect:
It was a long day of getting each of my four kids to their various summer camps. These days, I feel like I am mostly their chauffeur. We were finally home and I was making dinner. My son Benjamin asked if he could help, so I assigned him to chopping the cucumber. After two slices, I told him they were too thick and that I would just do it and gave him the job of dicing the tomatoes. He was squishing the juice out and creating a mush, so I took over once again. I then told him to go play outside, and that more space in the kitchen was the best way he could help.
I went about the evening proud I served a great meal and glad that I got the kids to bed at a reasonable hour. I woke up today praying Psalms 51:10. I looked up at a framed poster Benny made me for Mother’s Day. In bold, where it prompted “My favorite thing to do with my mom”, Ben wrote: COOK!
My heart sank. Only then had I realized that the previous evening, I missed an opportunity. I apologized to Ben, he forgave me, and I’m thankful there are many more meals in our future together for me to choose better.
“Create in me a clean and pure heart” is a cry to the Holy Spirit to reveal truth about the parts of me that are unclean and need his healing touch. Perfectionism. Efficiency at all cost. Prioritizing a task over a person.
“Renew a right spirit within me” is the invitation for his perfect love and grace to cover where I got things wrong and renew me to Christ’s likeness once again. In my own strength, I cannot be made new. All I can do is turn my own spirit again and again toward aligning with God’s Spirit in steadfastness and loyalty, and I am renewed afresh by Jesus every day.
Prayer of Response:
God, Every time I fail, I am reminded of my need for you. Thank you for each new opportunity to choose differently. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for renewal and that it is not a one time prayer or experience, but a journey I get to be on with you every day. I have chosen to invite you in and I am asking you to renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do it, again and again and again, Lord. My loyalty is to you forever. Amen
Questions to Ponder:
- Are you open to asking God to reveal parts of your heart that are unclean?
- How can you respond with refining action instead of defensiveness when the Holy Spirit reveals hard truth?
- How is Jesus inviting you into renewal today?
—Submitted by: Erinne Baker
Erinne and her husband Travis live in Klamath Falls, Oregon where they are raising their four kids: Charlotte (12), Benjamin (8), William (7) and Wyatt (4). She is a pursuer of truth and learner of what it means to trust God and live a life fueled by love and grace. She is an ordained pastor and has a blog at: https://truthseekeraskingquestions.com
Feature photo taken by Erinne Baker