“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 NASB

One of the benefits of a lifetime of walking with the Lord is a continual opportunity/invitation to be cleansed. His word, His forgiveness, His magnanimous invitation to come boldly to the throne of grace to find help are the things that keep me on my knees and keep me grateful.

In this age of conflict, rage and intolerance HOW does one keep their heart pure and undefiled? Unless one is willing to completely unplug from all intrusions and interactions with others it is nearly impossible. I have talked to many who express an exhaustion at the endless bickering and unkindness. Where to look? What to read? Who to listen to? Even these simple things can make us grow weary.

Thankfully, OH so thankfully, we are not without instruction. For Jesus clearly spoke a personal kind of guidance filled with promise to those who are weary in well doing, those who feel poor and broken in spirit. Those who feel as if life is a crushing experience.

Jesus said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” When I was a young woman there were heart breaking things happening in my family. I felt completely incapable of bringing help to the lives of those whom I loved and cherished. I was broken, and went to one of our pastors and poured out my sorrows. He listened patiently then spoke this verse to me. I had heard it many times, in Mass as a child, but could not fathom how it related to my troubles now. I felt disappointed.

So he explained: Blessed are you when you are poor/bankrupt in spirit. When you have nothing left to give from a human standpoint. Nothing left inside. For it is then that all that the Kingdom of Heaven holds is available to you. And he prayed with me. And as I prayed and wept out my sorrow to the Lord, I felt such cleansing, such love, such grace toward all those who needed it. I was FILLED with all the Kingdom had to offer to face and overcome whatever trials lay ahead.

And in that moment of purification and cleansing, I went from hopelessness to a place of being able to SEE GOD, even in the darkest moments of my life.

Indeed, I have held onto this moment/lesson for more than 40 years, and the Lord has honored it time after time. Selah.

~ Debbie Ecker