Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8 (NASB)
We often think of purity as the absence of sin, but sin is not the only thing that pollutes the heart. Unhealed hurts, unmet needs and unresolved issues when allowed to reside in our hearts, accumulate, like bricks of a wall being placed one on top of another. They taint our heart, confine us, and hold us captive. They hinder the depth of our intimacy with God because intimacy is based on vulnerability and trust, and a wounded heart is not easily vulnerable or trusting. These wounds inhibit our ability to see the goodness and glory of God, and they hinder our relationship with Him.
Sin is defined as missing the mark. We can all identify moments and times in our lives when we have missed the mark, or when we’ve been on the receiving end of someone else missing the mark. A harsh word spoken, an argument on the way to church, affirmation withheld, or love and appreciation never expressed. Sin, missing the mark, causes wounds in our lives and others. That’s why a pure heart is not just the absence of sin, but one that has been healed from the effects and wounds of sin.
It’s not enough to live a life free from our own intentional or unintentional sin, while still holding onto the hurt and pain caused by other people’s actions, choices and words, or the lack thereof. Friend, if we are to see more and more of God, we need to address and release those bricks in our heart so we can lay hold of Him through vulnerable, unhindered intimacy.
PAUSE – PRAY – PROGRESS
This is an activity I love to do in play therapy called Colour Your Life. You’ll need a blank piece of paper and different colour crayons or pens. The paper represents your heart and the colours, what’s in it. Fill the page with colours to show what’s in your heart and the quantity or amount of space it occupies in your heart. You can do this however you choose, whether it’s random patches of colour, geometric shapes, designs, and so forth. Include things like specific feelings, worries, traumas or life events that you still struggle with, God, unforgiveness, gratitude, truth, etc.
Take some time and one by one talk to God about the different areas of your heart, what happened and how it made you feel. Ask Him for understanding, perspective and truth so you can see through His eyes. Forgive those who have hurt or wronged you and ask God to forgive you for the times and places you missed the mark. Invite Him to come and fill those places of your heart with the light and life of His presence.