Moments

There are moments of truth, like when one word from the Bible lingers in your mind, gently reminds you of the thing in your life that is not from God and is a sin. There is a gentle nudge; but this is a life sustaining intervention. I think it is the work of the Holy Spirit, as our guide, comforter and teacher.

The challenge stays with me until I come before God in prayer, in confession, I stare truth in the face, and I leave my confession on a virtual altar, not as an offering, but as something to be burnt up.

            The gentleness of these moments puzzles me. I really deserve a stormy scolding, a sharp reprimand, and correction. I judge myself harshly, embarrassed that I neither have the stamina nor the character to avoid sin.

One of my favourite poems from the English Renaissance is a sonnet by John Donne:

Batter my Heart

Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you

As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;

That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend

Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.

I, like an usurp'd town to another due,

Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end;

Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,

But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.

Yet dearly I love you, and would be lov'd fain,

But am betroth'd unto your enemy;

Divorce me, untie or break that knot again,

Take me to you, imprison me, for I,

Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,

Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

I am indeed dependent on God; and Jesus says: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. 

The sacred moment is at any time and place, before the Holy One: being forgiven, being cleansed, being renewed, being able to love myself and anyone around me. Am I then changed? Will I never sin again? Well, I know that I will, but I know that I am also changed.  The battle between the good and evil in me will one day subside – and Jesus is the only ruler in my world. This is heaven!

Image of Jesus Christ, Ruler of the World