By Brother Matt Henson

Gaining access to someone who is famous can be a lot of work. Whether it is purchasing a backstage pass for a famous singer or going through the process of background checks and applications to visit a world-leader, work must be done. If the access is granted, we spend time in preparations to assure we have the book or the shirt we might want autographed. We pick out what we will wear, which may require a shopping trip to get the right clothes. The day of the meeting, we spend time primping and prepping so we can look our best. We look our best in hopes of making an impression on the famous person or leader.

In some ways, this same pursuit summarizes the way we come to “see Jesus.” There is a lot of work as we try to do more in hopes of gaining an audience. We believe we have to go to the right place (church/camp/retreat) or we have to wear the correct clothes or we have to give the right amount of money. We pursue God with our minds and with our stuff, yet we miss the importance and supremacy of our heart.

In Matthew 5:8 Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” The answer to “see God” is not the actions we take as much as the transformation of our heart and the surrender of our lives to seek holiness and righteousness. The author of Hebrews picks up on this same sentiment in Hebrews 12:14, “Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which one will see the Lord.”

In Psalm 24:4-6, the Psalmist writes, “Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation. Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.” The pure heart seeks the Lord with her whole being and desire. The pure heart is transformed and made new. From this transformation the desire to see the Lord leads us to the places where we experience the power of God. Whether that is sitting in quiet devotion or vibrant worship; whether in a small group Bible Study or the music festival. When our hearts are pure and seeking the Lord, we see the Lord.

Is your heart pure? Are you trying to see the Lord, only to realize the actions you take are not the beginning but the pure heart?

Prayer: Lord, purify my heart. I want to see you as I move about in my day. When I am quiet in your presence and when I am standing with others in worship to you. I want to see you as I serve in ministry and listen to the pain and hurt of our world as I sit with friends and as I meet new people. I want to see you, Lord. Amen.