Have you ever felt your soul being cleansed?
Today I am spending the afternoon in retreat with God. It's time taken to seek the heart of God and to reconnect with him in my life. I usually take off in the van and go somewhere I can walk and think. Listening to a book on my ipod and spending time in reflective prayer journaling through out the day. Today is not so different except instead of the van I have my piaggio fly 150 motor scooter. I had planned to just hunker down somewhere and do some reading for today sense I wouldn't have the luxury of traveling as far. But as I began to ride, I realized I needed to ride further. So I kept going with the wind whipping around me and my most significant worship songs playing in my ears.
I have lots of things to get done right now. And I was debating today as to whether I should take this time apart with God today or if I should get busy on some of the activity planning I have fallen behind on. As I began to ride I knew the answer. My soul was parched, I was thirsty for God, my soul felt gritty and needed to be cleansed. I can't really explain to you how if happens. But as I rode I felt living water coming back into my soul. I could feel the refreshment I so desperately needed. My prayer time has been sweet as well and as I write this blog expressing these truths to you I feel it going ever so much deeper.
Hebrews 9 tells us the priests who offered sacrifice of sheep and goats for all of those years where only able to provide external cleansing. The sacrifices where forms and rituals and that's all they were. When Jesus came however and offered himself. When his blood was shed and he rose from the dead and entered the heavenly sanctuary our consciences were cleansed. Through the sacrifice of the God of the universe we were cleansed internally. Our souls were cleansed.
It reminds me of the day I am having today. There are so many rituals and customs I can do in the service of God. I can plan the next service day and make sure the next big youth event is planned. I do this on a regular basis everyday. These things bring external value to my ministry and the job I have been hired to do. But they do not enliven my soul.
I think this is why Jesus tells the parable of those who come to him when the wedding feast has started and seek entrance. He opens the door and says I do not know you. They protest, "we did all of these things in your name, preaching, teaching, healing, casting out demons." But he replies still I never knew you. Your actions may have been in my name, but you never sought me with your soul. You didn't come looking for me you only knew about me.
The end of Hebrews 9 has one of my very favorite verses. Scripture promises here that Jesus came the first time to deal with sin and he is coming again a second time to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (For a fuller thought process of this verse look back in my blog to the one titled still waiting.) He is coming again and we will see him face to face. I am so grateful the condition of this world is not considered salvation complete.
But in order for his second coming to truly be filled with joy, we need to know him now. We need to seek his face while he may be found. We need to connect with him so we will be known and cleansed from the inside out rather than following the customs and christian activity only to be cleansed on the outside.
May we come to know our God and me known by our God today, rather than simply know about him and serve him with external forms but be empty and parched on the inside.
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