Wash your hands and wash your heart
I’ve taken seriously the instructions to wash my hands during this pandemic of COVID-19. Honestly, prior to this outbreak, I’ve not been a major hand-washer. I mean, yes, when I go to the store, the bathroom, etc. But for the most part, I don’t take inventory of the germs on my hands during the day and cleanse them. Until now.
I find myself reminding my boys all through the day as well. We are all washing our hands about 100 times more than we ever have before.
Why? Because we took seriously the warnings to keep clean hands.
What if I washed my heart with the same fervor I’m washing my hands? Like my hands, which carry invisible germs, my heart carries and holds what can live hidden from the naked eye.
Do I take inventory of what my heart holds?
God says if I keep a clean heart, there’s blessings in store.
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
They will receive blessing from the Lord
and vindication from God their Savior.
Psalm 24:4-5
What happens when we have a clean heart?
We shall see God.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8
How do we even clean our heart? Where do we start?
By simply asking Him.
God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
I find it interesting the connection in the Bible with clean hands and clean hearts. Can the outside be clean and the inside filthy?
Luke 11:39 “But the Lord said to him: “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and evil.” I don’t want to live like a Pharisee.
All this talk of hand washing has me contemplating heart washing. Jesus has always been the King of upside down, inside out. Taking our human traditions and flipping them over. He rocked the world with His grace. While the world preaches to start with clean hands, God instructs an alternate starting point.
“Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so the outside of it may also become clean.” Matthew 23:26
I don’t start with my heart typically. I start outside and somehow think the cleansing action will work its way into the crevices of my heart.
Lord, give me eyes to see the truth that lives in my heart. Show me what needs to be purified.
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double minded people! Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” James 4:8-10
So maybe we pull out an index card, write scripture on it, tape it by all the sinks, and while we wash our hands for 20 seconds 100 times a day, we recite His Word. Maybe as we clean our hands, we allow His Word to wash our hearts at the same time?
He is good. He is faithful. May we honor Him with clean hands and clean hearts.
