Into the Fire

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

Sometimes God has to remind us that when we came to Him in repentance and acknowledged the sacrifice of His Son, He made us new. Spiritually, we became a new creation. I marvel at that. So the “old” heart was wicked, and the new one is pure. However, it isn’t easy to shed the practices of that old heart because of the sinful blood that keeps pumping through the human-ness.

When the Lord confronts us with the choice to engage Him in a deeper way, we might have all kinds of reactions. Fear, for example. What is He going to require of me?! Let’s face it: some of us are wimpy Christians. Good thing He is patient.

Isn’t it often difficult to focus on the fact that our mission here is fairly simple? Acts 1:8 pretty much sums up the direction for our lives. The final words of Jesus Christ told us what He expected us to do. Be a witness to a lost world of who He is and what He did for the human race. Give people the information and the option to turn their lives over to Him for redemption and a place in heaven for eternity. Then in His wonderfully creative way He designs us as individuals, plants us in all kinds of locations across the globe, and prepares us to fulfill His plan for our lives. Sounds simple, huh? Is anything ever simple with human beings?

The problem lies in the fact that we often ignore the plan, make up our own, revise the one God has given us, and/or become unwilling to execute His plan because sometimes it’s hard, unpleasant at first, inconvenient, uncomfortable, and, let’s face it, not what we had in mind. To our shame. And our sorrow.

That’s why it’s deeply humbling and acutely rewarding to see someone stand up with a pure heart–one they had to work for, to overcome all the obstacles that scream to remain satisfied with the status quo and don’t rock the boat of mediocrity, to potentially “risk it all” to speak up, speak out, take tentative steps in the direction of worthwhile change that no one seems to want to happen. It’s a brave endeavor and worthy of taking notice.

So, my humble hat’s off to Mick Silva for “calling a spade a spade”. To address (gasp) the problem(s) in “Christian” publishing from the other side of the wall that’s been erected to keep out those of us who don’t measure up to the standards of what’s desirable for “Christian” writers, published authors. For declaring that the “Christian” business practices are frankly sometimes anything but “Christian”. For laying his job on the chopping block and sacrificing the code of silence for the admission of truth. And doing it because he believes that things are wrong and in need of correction. Those things that don’t sit right with the heart that has become pure but are lurking behind closed doors and demanding to remain in place, hidden from eyes that have adjusted to seeing them as acceptable.

Pray for Mick. The Lord is with him in this gallant effort.

Father, you give us the impetus to push forward when we need to do so. You supply the courage, the words, the deeds, all of it. It’s hard for us, but you gently insist and when we see your face, we press on and are eager to please you. For you become the critical focus–blessing you is all that matters. We are yours and we want to do your will above our own. Thank you, Lord, for your leading in our lives. Thank you that you are greater than all we see. Thank you that you give us value. Thank you that blessing always follows obedience. Thank you for Mick. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.