Dessert every time!

Blessed are the pure in heart, 

for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

In junior high youth group, we were asked to pick the Beatitude that we most wanted to be true for us, and this was the one I chose. A few days ago, a thought popped into my head: Katie, being pure in heart is not so much about all the bad things a person has not done because I (God) cleanse from sin. Yes, there are latent consequences and heart issues resulting from people's wrong decisions, but being pure in heart is more about how you choose to fill your mind and heart.

The Bible, of course, explains it well: "Keep your heart will all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil." Proverbs 4:23-27

The word for heart here does not refer to our emotions or pathos, but rather to "the inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding." The Bible is saying to guard our cores, the indefinable part of a person that reasons and decides and emotes. Stay away from things that will make you stray from the excellence that God has abundantly available.

Frankly, I do try to live by this instruction. We've all heard "Junk in; Junk Out." Why would I want to make life harder for myself by consciously indulging in movies, books, or music that glorify evil? Then I have to wade through those depressing, disgusting, or simply dull topics instead of dwelling on bigger and better thoughts.

Please, do not misconstrue what I am saying. Being "secular" (i.e. not explicitly Christian) does not make input taboo. For me, the two main questions are: Are the messages telling the truth as best they can? Who or what are they glorifying? There are plenty of stories that are rough and hard hitting but tell the truth. So, let's check. Are the messages...misogynistic? Lies. People have inherent value. It doesn't matter if the beat is good. Throw it out. Depressing and hopeless? Lies. Hope exists, however faint it may seem. Move on! Superficial? Lies. Appearance and possession and fame are fleeting. Don't settle! Sexually explicit? Lies. True intimacy is more than the sex act. No doing! (Pun intended. Don't faint, Mom.) Save it for the bedroom.

Essentially, why kill your digestive system processing dirt when there are so many blue ribbon winning desserts* available? What's stopping you? Well, the desserts are over on the counter, and the dirt is right here on the floor. I don't have the energy to go get the dessert. The one that makes me bristle: Everybody else is eating the dirt! It's really popular! You should try it. You'll probably like it too! You just don't know. It's not that bad. It has some really great flavors. The worst is when you actually start to think that dirt tastes better than dessert. That's scary, friends. 

Of course, let's not forget that when you are focused on filling yourself with the Lord, these other messages are not so attractive. We see them for what they are: empty promises, blind entertainment, destructive lies, dulling babble. Our modus operandi should be to walk towards the Lord, seeking His truth, filling ourselves with His extravagant goodness. And we will find Him, even in the most unexpected places! "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

*Substitute salad if you like. See, my nutrition is improving!