A Clean Heart

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Psalm 51:1

Well I was born an original sinner.
I was borne from original sin.

Eurythmics – “Missionary Man”

It happened a few days ago.  My wife and I were out for a bike ride when we came to a four-way-stop.  We had the right-of-way, so I started out into the middle of the intersection. As I did so, a car from my left pulled out right in front of me. And then I just  lost it. I’m not proud of my reaction (which certainly wasn’t Christian), but I felt justified in my anger because I was in the right.  After taking some time to think about it, I no longer feel quite so justified.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:2

Psalm 51 is one of the readings traditionally appointed for Ash Wednesday, the first day in Lent. Linking this psalm with Ash Wednesday always made sense to me because it is a penitential psalm, one in which David asks forgiveness for arranging the death of Uriah the Hittite in order to steal his wife Bathsheba.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Psalm 51:3

I have always felt that repentance is the most appropriate attitude to adopt for the penitential season of Lent. However, I have come to believe that penitence should lead to something. Feeling bad about your sins is all well and good, but if it doesn’t lead to a change in your way of living, then what is the point.

Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.
Psalm 51:5

The value for me in recognizing and claiming my own sinfulness, my own imperfection, has been the change it has made in my daily walk of faith.  It has made me more empathetic, less judgmental and more forgiving. Some of the time. Obviously, I am not yet where I want to be, but I am on the way.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

So, bear with me for this next part and forgive me if it sounds judgmental.

Many people will give up something for Lent, which can be a very effective spiritual discipline. However, if I were to give up, let’s say chocolate, how will that help my neighbor? To be honest, giving up chocolate will only make me grumpy and difficult to be around for the next 40 days.

Wouldn’t it make more sense do something that will have a more positive impact on the world?

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Psalm 51:9

In that spirit, may I suggest something? What if we gave up unnecessary conflict for Lent? It is true that some conflicts are unavoidable, but most are. Here are some things to think about as we journey to Easter.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

When I find myself in a confrontation or in conflict:

• Are my words and actions raising or lowering the temperature?
• What am I really angry about? Is it the issue in front of me, or is it actually something that I have buried inside?
• Am I blameless in this situation?
• Can I understand why the other person thinks the way he or she does?
• And last, but not least, where do I see God at work in this situation?

For you have no delight in sacrifice.
Psalm 51:16

Anyway, just some things to think about. We are, after all, called to be peacemakers. We are called to be dispensers of peace, or as a pastor once put it, “dispensers of grace.” The good news is we don’t have to travel anywhere. We can be peacemakers in our homes, our workplaces and our neighborhoods. The world could certainly use a lot more peace and a lot less conflict.

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:17

May you have a peace-filled and blessed Lenten journey.