Keep Flowing

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. ~Psalm 51:10

To say I'm excited is an understatement! There are so many things on the horizon, and I'm anticipating God's goodness and mercy to follow me and his blessings to overtake me just as He promised. But recently, I came face-to-face with a glitch in my system...something that could have the potential to stop my progress cold in it's tracks. It's a killer to many dreams. You can't see it. It's odorless but has a foul aroma to God. You can't really put your finger on it sometimes. And, even when you think you've taken care of it, it has a nasty way of recurring like a cancerous disease that comes out of remission. It's a sneaky poison that has the power to eat away at your very soul and hinder your forward movement. Just like build up in an artery or vein, it can stop your flow. Can you guess what that thing is?

When I wasn't looking, I messed around and took offense at someone's behavior and have not been able to shake it. I keep telling myself "WWJD?" and taking "woo sahh" moments to rid myself of any rising feelings. Then just when I think that I'm over it, that little twinge in my heart returns to remind me that it's still there--lurking in the background. Maybe it's just me who has a person (old flame, friend, sister, brother, mother, father, boss, coworker, bus driver...whoever) who even the very sight of their name makes me feel "some kind of way"? The idea of true forgiveness can seem illusive when you've taken offense. Offense is like plaque in the human artery. It has power beyond what you would ever anticipate. 

It's like when you look at someone and think that they look so healthy only to hear later that they had suffered a heart attack or stroke. Something as small as the journey of a drop of blood through their system dramatically alters that person's world. The blockages in their hearts or brains, though undetectable to the human eye, result in years of recovery, slowed motor skills and so much more. Their internal flow completely shifts their outer flow.  Similarly the complexities of the human spirit are equally amazing. That same person who you think has it all together on the outside may be the most broken on the inside. People have spiritual breakdowns that mimic physical ones (and sometimes even play out in physical ways). The blockages in their hearts and minds, though undetectable to the human eye, result in years of recovery, slowed progress and so much more. Again, their internal flow completely shifts their outer flow.

Now I never profess to be that person who appears to have it all together, but I'm like so many of you who try to put your best face forward--not always wanting to reveal on the outside all that is going on inside. But as a result, that spiritual plaque build up makes its way into my system. And as I considered all that I had on the horizon, I knew that I couldn't afford to let my flow be impeded. And as I prayed, the Lord reminded me of the words of David: Create in me a clean heart, Oh God; and renew a right/steadfast spirit in me. You see, at the end of the day, I know that I have no power over my heart. The bible describes the heart as deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). However, that doesn't absolve me of the responsibility to get my heart right. A person with hypertension or heart disease isn't left to their own devices. They are prescribed medication, surgery or lifestyle changes that will lead towards healing. The Word of God is our medication, God is our surgeon and we are responsible for making lifestyle changes.

No matter the source of the offense, it can sometimes be difficult to move forward. However, we simply cannot allow small things to be big hindrances. As God cleans our hearts, He is also renewing that steadfast spirit within us that helps us to push through to forgiveness even when we don't really want to. We have to actively make the decision to have our lifestyles reflect ones of constantly submitting our hearts to God. Not just one time but everytime that offense rears its ugly head, we must take spiritual action against it. If it means I have to pray every time that little twinge pops up, I'll pray. If you have to quote Psalm 51:10, quote it. Either way, today is the day to make a commitment to not let your inner flow stop your outer flow.

Be encouraged.