Create in me a clean heart...

Good Morning All,

As I make my way through this first month of the new year, I am busy trying to get better organized as I put holiday decorations away (yes, I’m still working on this tedious project—but the Magi only left 2 weeks ago) :) ; and as I make way for the new items I received as gifts; discarding the old, worn-out items that have been replaced; and all the while still trying to carve out time for trips to the Wellness Center. And all these things are in addition to what I do in the name of ministry here at Covenant and my own personal spiritual disciplines. Any of this sound remotely familiar? The tasks may be different for you, but I imagine each of us is attempting to get this new year off to a fresh start as we develop more meaningful and purposeful habits and routines.

Earlier this week I was preparing “A Moment of Inspiration” for a meeting I would be leading. And a particular passage of scripture kept ruminating through my mind: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me…” (Psalm 51) It’s a most wonderful and appropriate verse any time; but especially early in the year. It continues to remind me of the importance of getting my life in some sense of order as I attempt to clean out the clutter and cobwebs that have taken up residence in my soul. And it doesn’t simply stop with the act of de-cluttering and sweeping out the cobwebs. For as great as this exercise is, I think it is greatly overshadowed by asking God and receiving from God, “a right spirit.” Because for me, it is this “right spirit” that then gives me renewed and increased spiritual energy to keep on-keepin’ on as I move full steam ahead into God’s future.

I also draw strength for my spiritual life from a variety of other sources of wisdom and humor. And one of the adages I recently came across in a holiday catalogue made me LOL (laugh out loud) mostly at the truth it revealed: “O Lord, please put your hand around my shoulder and when necessary, your hand over my mouth.” :)

So, as an intro to my “Inspirational Moment,” I put these two thoughts together in a prayer-filled time of confession and seeking God’s wisdom and direction for our lives. And now I offer these to you as well.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me;” for it is time to de-clutter and sweep through our spiritual lives—searching every nook and cranny of our souls; resolving to do whatever is needful to bring forth a spirit of forgiveness, restoration and wholeness in our lives—in our relationship with God and with one another.

And as we journey together along the sacred path that leads us closer and closer to God, may God indeed, “put an arm around our shoulders and when necessary, a hand over our mouths…” I can tell already, 2008 is a wonderful time to be alive and to share in the ministry and mission of Covenant…
Blessings, Joanne