The Last Word

 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with God’s people. Amen.” 

(Revelation 22:21, the last words of the Bible)

When we were in North Carolina, the city cemetery was about four blocks away from our house. It was more than the city cemetery – it was also the place where dozens of people took their daily walks every morning. For four years, I walked or jogged all the paved pathways winding through the cemetery. As a small-town cemetery, it had some beautiful natural features, sitting on a hill, a couple of scenic ponds, bordered by towering pine trees. I loved watching the hawk families hunt and nest in the trees, as well as the pileated woodpeckers (think Woody Woodpecker), kingbirds, bluebirds, cardinals, and a host of other birds flitting about. It was a very pleasant place to walk.

It’s an old cemetery, with many graves dating back to the early 19^th century. As time went on, I began to pay attention to the headstones and their designs. Some had inscriptions, some indicated military service, some had religious designs etched into the granite, and – thanks to modern computer-driven imaging – some had modern pictures carved into them. 

Some people will put a lot of thought into the headstone. Maybe a person told their loved ones their wishes regarding what to put on their headstone. Or maybe the headstone was designed by the survivors, as a way of honoring the deceased. Either way, headstones often convey some sort of message.

"Blessed Are the Pure in Heart"

I look at the headstone as an opportunity to speak a last word to any who pass by. Last words tend to be important. When someone knows that they are speaking their last words, they tend to focus on what is important to them. No small talk – just the stuff that really matters. 

I’m reminded that when Jesus was in the upper room with his disciples he knew that he wasn’t going to see them the next day. So he focused on what was really important – sharing the bread and the cup, and saying to them, “Do this in remembrance of me;” washing their feet, and saying, “Love one another as I have loved you;” praying aloud for them, “Father, may they be one, as you and I are one.”

When Jesus knew he only had a few hours left, he made every word matter.

If I have a headstone with my name on it, I want to make sure it conveys something that is important to me. I want my last words to speak of things that have stirred my heart with the goodness and mercy and grace of God. So – and this certainly will be no surprise for any of you who have known me for any period of time or who have been part of the churches I have served – I want my headstone to say something about love. And it has to come from the Bible, not something you found on the internet. 

I will leave the final details to my family, but here are a few suggestions:

Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” – John 15:12 (I figure if it is good enough to be among Jesus’ last words, it’s good enough for me. Besides, it’s also the verse reference that Carol and I have inscribed on our wedding rings).

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:17-19

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:7-8

And recognizing that whoever arranges for the headstone may have to pay by the letter, here’s one that is a bit more succinct and to the point: “And now these three remain: Faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13

Any of these scriptures will faithfully capture the last word I wish to speak.

When all is said and done, what will be the last word you speak?

Choose wisely, because it will be carved in stone.

Great Is Their Faithfulness

 “I thank my God every time I remember you…” (Philippians 1:3)

In January I began serving in my new calling as a chaplain in a retirement community founded by the Presbyterian churches of South Carolina. It is a large community, with nearly 300 residents ranging from independent living, to assisted living, to skilled nursing and memory care. When I talk to friends about my new call, one of the things that often comes up in the conversation is, “Oh, you have to deal with a lot of death. That must wear you down.”

It’s true, people pass away in my current setting at a higher rate than they have at any church I have served. But that’s because we have no residents who are under 65 years old. Old people tend to die more often than young people. That’s a basic fact of life. 

And to be sure, there are some moments that the emotional toll of frequent encounters with death weighs heavily on me. But as a person whose hope is grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the heaviness of death is short-lived. And it’s okay to experience some measure of sadness, because sadness is often an indication of the love that we have had for the one who has passed away. Ultimately, I consider it a sacred privilege to be able to accompany a person and their loved ones on their journey into the valley of the shadow of death.

At a memorial service, one of the things that I always point out is that the one whose life we are celebrating and remembering wasn’t just a friend or family member. That person was also someone whom God used to bear witness to God’s love, grace, compassion, care, and countless other traits of God that we hold dear. You see, the person whom we are remembering was a child of God who bore the image of God in their being. And as such, many aspects of the person’s life bore witness to God’s goodness and mercy.

A mother who never stopped thinking about the needs of her children bore witness to the never-ending, never-sleeping nature of God’s love for you and me.

A man who never met a stranger bore witness to the gracious hospitality of our Lord.

A person who was a gifted artist bore witness to the creative beauty of God.

The woman who tended the nursery at the church for 50 years showed us what it looks like to obey Jesus’ command to “let the little children come unto me.”

The doctor who spent his or her vacations on medical mission trips gave us glimpses into the mercy and compassion of God for those whom the world considers “the least of these.”

You get the picture, don’t you? The truth is, none of the saints whose lives we celebrate ever said, “Hey, look at me – I’m bearing witness to God’s love.” But they lived their lives in such a way that there can be no denying that God used them to give us glimpses into God’s grace, love, righteousness, justice, and glory.

"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses..."

- Hebrews 12:1 

The writer of the New Testament letter to the Hebrews speaks at length of the faith of those who have gone before us, and the witness that they have provided to us. And then he told us to let their example embolden and encourage us in our own lives of faith: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1) 

I truly believe that one of the gifts that we receive when loved ones die is the gift of a faithful witness to life in Christ. It is a gift that inspires me to live in such a way that one day when people look back on my life, they will not only talk about me, but they will also talk about the God they saw in me.

Don't Be a Snake

 “You snakes! You brood of vipers!” (Matthew 23:33)

I’m not a fan of snakes. Especially snakes that are within 10 feet of me. I really don’t like those snakes.

“But that’s a good snake,” some will say.

No. It’s not. It’s a snake. It can’t be good.

I do have to admit, though, if I am far enough away and I have the zoom lens on my camera, I like to take pictures of snakes. To be clear, I like the pictures, not the snakes.

About 10 days ago Carol and I decided to take a hike in a local county park. We had hiked in the park before. It has nice trails, and it’s perfect for when we don’t have time to drive a long distance to get to a place to hike. Except on this particular day. Because there was a snake. Not just any snake, but a copperhead. The poisonous kind. 

We were walking along, and I was looking for birds and flowers to photograph, and suddenly Carol stopped me in my tracks. Literally three feet away was this copperhead on the trail. I jumped back – probably about 25 feet – and I said a bad word. Or two. Snakes make me do that.

We let the copperhead finish crossing the trail, and just to be safe we walked about 100 feet around it to pass it. My Fitbit registered a heart rate of about 200 beats per minute that day.

Did I mention that I am not a fan of snakes?

I’m not alone in this. Jesus evidently did not have a high opinion of snakes. Why else would he call the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees “snakes” and “brood of vipers”?

"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?"

Jesus, Matthew 23:33 

Just a few days before he was to be crucified, Jesus sealed his fate by leveling curse after curse at the “teachers of the law and Pharisees.” Jesus called them out for their hypocrisy. They make entry into the kingdom of heaven impossible by imposing all sorts of rules and regulations. They split hairs with the Old Testament law in order to manipulate it to their advantage while oppressing others. They put on good appearances to hide the greed and self-indulgence in their hearts. They pretend to be righteous in order to cover up their own wickedness. 

It’s in the twenty-third chapter of Matthew. You should read that chapter every once in a while. It’s not pretty.

For years, I would read the words of Jesus directed at the Pharisees, and in my heart I would say, “You tell them, Jesus! Preach it! I sure hope so-and-so can hear what you’re saying.” I would puff up in my own self-righteousness and say to myself, “I’m sure glad I’m not like those hypocrites.”

But at some point I began to read those passages differently. As I heard Jesus crying out against the ones who claimed to have it all together, every once in a while I could have sworn that I heard him call my name. Because if I’m honest with myself, I have a bit of Pharisee in me. I suspect we all do.

Yeah, you too.

And so instead of smiling smugly as Jesus lets the hypocrites have it, I now approach these particular verses with a more prayerful attitude. I use these verses to examine the hypocrisy in my own heart, and the ways that I try to hide my own shortcomings while focusing on the shortcomings of others. These verses remind me that I, too, build up walls and barriers that make it impossible for some to enter the kingdom. These verses show me how I manipulate the rules to ensure that I am among the “in” group.

These verses remind me that I don’t want to be this way, and that Jesus doesn’t want me to be this way.

You see, I don’t like snakes, and I don’t want someone to call me a snake. Especially, I don’t want Jesus to call me a snake.

Part of the purpose of the season of Lent is for us to examine our hearts and remember why it is that we need a Savior. That means engaging in a good bit of humility and honesty about our own unrighteousness. It’s hard work, but worth it.

So next time you read about Jesus saying some harsh words to religious people, listen closely, because you might just hear him mention your name.

Stay Hydrated!

 “...my soul thirsts for you.” (Psalm 63:1)

As a chaplain in a community of people where many are at high risk of serious complications from COVID, I am required to wear a mask when interacting with the people I serve. While I don’t love it, neither do I mind wearing the mask. Except when they serve liver and onions for lunch. Then I’m sorry I have to wear a mask because I’m confronted with my own bad breath.

One thing I have discovered is that I get thirsty when I wear a mask all day. I think it’s because I drink less water throughout the day. So at the end of the day, I find myself parched. I feel like I have to gulp down a couple of glasses of water.

Aaaah, so refreshing! It’s amazing how good water tastes when I’m thirsty.

Humans can survive a long time without food. But water, not so much. Water, it seems, is critical for our survival. Things get out of balance in our body quickly when we don’t drink enough water. Lack of water affects our kidneys, our heart, our muscles. 

I used to roll my eyes at people who carried around their water bottles and constantly refilled them throughout the day. Not anymore. 

Stay hydrated. It’s really important.

Thirst is a good metaphor for what happens to the soul. I’m not the first person to think so. My good friend David said it a long time ago: 

O God, you are my God, I seek you,
    my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

(Psalm 63:1)

I don’t know about you, but I find that my daily quiet times are like going to a well and drinking water that refreshes and renews my spirit. Conversely, on days when I skip my quiet time or neglect my prayer life, I feel out of sorts. My spirit is off-kilter a bit. At the end of such days, I realize that I have failed to tend to the most basic need of my soul: I have neglected my relationship with God.

The human soul is restless, longing to be filled. People are thirsty. Some look to quench their thirst by pursuing wealth, or by consolidating power, or by engaging in charitable work, or some other way. But there is only one way to quench the thirst of our soul. Rather, there is only one Person who can quench the thirst of our soul: Jesus.

To a woman who was thirsty because of circumstances in her life – some of her own choosing, some of which were imposed upon her by her culture and world – Jesus said, “Those who drink of the water I give them will never be thirsty. The water that I give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)

I agree with Jesus. That shouldn’t surprise you. Apart from Jesus, my soul never finds satisfaction for its thirst. When I turn to Jesus in faith, when I follow Jesus as my Lord, my soul is full. 

I do take issue with Jesus on one thing, though. Once I have drunk of the water that he gives to me, I find myself wanting more and more. So in that regard I remain thirsty.

Only, now I know where I can find the well that never dries up.

Stay hydrated, my friends!

How to Become a Better Person

 “...if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

I find so many beautiful things to photograph in nature. Flowers, butterflies, birds, sunrises and sunsets, landscapes, wildlife… The list is endless. There is beauty to be found everywhere; you just have to look for it. And have your camera handy.

There is something inherently beautiful about, well, beauty. I think our hearts are wired to appreciate and pursue beautiful things. And it starts by looking for beauty. Keeping our eyes open, ready to encounter goodness and beauty.

The same principle applies to our spiritual life. Our hearts are naturally stirred by good and praiseworthy things. But we have to be intentional about seeking such things. A joyful, godly life is something that we have to cultivate intentionally. That’s why Paul ends his letter to the church in Philippi with this exhortation: 

“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

(Philippians 4:8)

People often say things like, “Think happy thoughts.” And it’s not just a trite saying. I think it’s based on a real principle that our hearts follow our thoughts. Happy thoughts exercise our happy muscles (No, silly, we don’t really have “happy muscles” – it’s just a metaphor). People who think happy thoughts become happier people. Or, to put it another way, to be a happy person requires the intentional cultivation of happiness.

I don’t know of anybody who, deep down in their being, doesn’t want to be someone who is honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy. Those traits are something that everyone appreciates, because those traits are part of the image of God with which God endows every human being. But being that kind of person doesn’t just happen. It starts by focusing our thoughts, which will then orient our hearts.

A little nerdy lesson in New Testament Greek: Verbs in the present tense usually have a sense of continuous action. So when Paul says for us to “think about these things,” what he is saying is “think about these things, and keep on thinking about these things. Don’t stop thinking about these things. Not ever.”

And when we do that – when we think about honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy things – then our hearts follow our thoughts. And we become all of those things.

How can we change the direction of the negative and divisive world in which we live? 

Well, what do you think?

Stay on the Path

 “...ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it...” (Jeremiah 6:16)

I love to hike. Whether it is in the rugged mountain terrain or along the soft, sandy soil of the coastlands, or anywhere in between, I love to be on the trail. On any given weekend you are likely to find me putting on my walking shoes and getting outdoors. I am always searching for public lands, state parks, national parks, wildlife refuges, and other places where I can go.

I have found that, when hiking, it is good to stay on the trail. The trail is the path that has been cleared by countless soles of the souls that have gone before me (did you get the play on words – I’m pretty clever, right?). Long ago, when the park or refuge or other public place was being designed, somebody went to a lot of trouble to clear out a path for people to hike. The route was set up with safety and beautiful views in mind. And so we don’t get lost. It is good to stay on the trail.

One time I veered off of the path, and it didn’t turn out well. You can read about it by clicking on this link.

I have a T-shirt that I bought to commemorate one of my more rigorous hikes in Colorado. It has a picture of Hallett Peak, and underneath it is an inscription of a Bible verse: “Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” It is from Jeremiah 6:16. The inscription is a gentle reminder to live our lives in the way that God has set forth for us.

One day I decided to look up the verse in the Bible. (It’s always good to look up Bible verses that people quote so you can get an idea of the context in which they are found. Context adds meaning.) I discovered that the quote on the T-shirt didn’t include the whole verse. For right after the part that talks about finding rest for your souls, God says this: “But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

Whoa! Suddenly a verse that was a gentle reminder that I should walk on the path that God has made for me now has a bit of a darker side to it. In its context, the verse really is a rebuke to rebellious people.

I think it’s a healthy thing, not only to realize that God’s way is the way of life, but also that there is a downside in choosing not to walk in that way. It is a reminder, not only that the ancient, eternal path that God has cleared for us is the path that guides us safely through life and leads us to experiences of God’s glory and grace, but also that when we choose not to walk that path, we forfeit the abundant life that God offers us.

And so when I put on my T-shirt and look at that verse once again, I whisper two prayers. First, I give thanks that God has provided me with a way that leads to life and to the renewal of my soul. And then I remember the end of the verse, and I pray, “Lord, let it not be said of me that I have refused to walk in your way.”

"All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness"

- Psalm 25:10 

Staying on the path is always good advice, not only because the path will lead us through the wilderness and to our final destination, but also because veering off of the path can be dangerous.

“All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,” said David, “for those who keep his covenant and testimonies.” (Psalm 25:10) And he’s right. Give it a try, and you will experience confirmation of that truth.

If all the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, why would we want to choose any other way?

Seeking Our Daily Bread

 “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

One of the things that we absolutely had to make sure we brought with us when we moved from North Carolina back to South Carolina was our bluebird house. In fact, the very first load from our storage unit to our new house included the bluebird house, which I promptly set up in our yard.

For the first couple of years when we were in North Carolina, we had no birds use the birdhouse in our backyard. But in 2020 and 2021 we had at least three families nest, hatch, and fledge from the house: two chickadee families, and one bluebird family. We loved watching the birds take up residence, carrying grass clippings and other nesting material. Then we would wait patiently for signs that the eggs had hatched. We would notice much more frequent trips to and fro by the mother bird, as well as more frequent visits from the father bird in the case of the bluebirds. The mother birds would be carrying seeds or bugs in their beaks (or mealworms that Carol had placed on nearby feeders).

Every once in a while we were fortunate enough to see a tiny head from one of the chicks peek out from the birdhouse, obviously waiting for its next meal. On even more rare occasions, I was able to get a picture of the baby bird. In the nest, the baby birds look only to the mother to for nourishment. They depend wholly on their mother to give them what they need to live.

"Bless the Lord... who satisfies your desires with good things."

(Psalm 103:1, 5) 

Where do you turn for what you need to live? On what or Whom do you depend for life itself? In the middle of the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray we find the simple petition, “Give us this day our daily bread.” That simple petition is the acknowledgment that we depend on God. When we pray that petition, we are asking God for the physical and spiritual resources we need in order to live.

That simple petition, “Give us this day our daily bread,” refocuses our heart. It reminds us that we have a good and loving God who provides us with what we need and who nourishes us, body and soul. To pray that petition is to affirm that God is the object of our faith and trust in our pursuit of health and well-being and happiness and satisfaction.

The psalmist urges us, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – ...who satisfies your desires with good things.” (Psalm 103:1-2, 5) To pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” is to recognize that it is God to whom we look to satisfy the desires of our hearts. 

And because God is good and loving and compassionate, then we expect that God will answer us by satisfying our desires with good things.

And that is a good thing.

New and Improved

 “See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare…” (Isaiah 42:9)

So, my wife and I are butterfly farmers. Purely amateur, mind you – we don’t have USDA certification or anything like that. But over the past three years we have released over 200 monarch butterflies, and about 75 black swallowtail butterflies. And so we consider ourselves farmers of sorts.

The overall process of attracting the mother butterflies, nurturing the caterpillars, providing them with a space to form their chrysalises, and then releasing the newly-emerged butterflies takes several weeks from start to finish (even longer in the case of some of the black swallowtails, which sometimes remain in their chrysalis through the winter, emerging when the warm weather of spring returns).

Over the years, I have taken countless photos (surprise!), and have even managed to capture the process of the caterpillars pupating into a chrysalis, as well as the moment they emerge. IMO, it’s really cool. You can watch the videos by clicking on this link and this link.

It is an amazing thing to consider the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. Even though the DNA of the caterpillar is identical to the DNA of the butterfly that emerges from the chrysalis, nobody would ever claim that the caterpillar and the butterfly are identical. Indeed, the butterfly is completely new and different from the caterpillar. The butterfly can never go back to being a caterpillar.

When I consider the amazing transformation that results in the creation of a butterfly, I can’t help but being reminded that our God is all about the business of making all things new. God is all about redemption and renewal.

“...new things I declare”

“See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare,” says the Lord (Isaiah 42:9). You and I may be prone to letting the past drag us down. Our failures haunt us. We dwell on the things that have wounded us. We let our regrets weigh us down. It’s understandable that we are like this, because in a sense the past is the only reality that we know – the future hasn’t been defined yet.

Only, we do have a future. God has a wonderful plan for us. God doesn’t dwell on our past like we do. Indeed, God sees not what we have done or been, but what we will become by the transforming power of his grace and love. “I know the plans I have for you,” to quote an overly-quoted verse of the Bible, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” (that’s Jeremiah 29:11, but you probably already knew that). 

By the grace of God, you and I do not have to let the past weigh us down. We are no longer defined by the mistakes we have made and the ways that we have fallen short; we are defined by the infinite steadfast love of God which never ceases, a love that declares to us, “whoever is in Christ is a new creation – the old has gone, and the new has come”! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

It might just be me, but I happen to think that, even though the caterpillar looks pretty cool, the butterfly that emerges from the chrysalis is infinitely more amazing and beautiful. 

If God will do that with a caterpillar, just think of what God will do with you and me.

True Delight

 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

Photography not only affords me the opportunity to capture the beauty of the world around me, but it also enables me to go back again and again as I look at the (thousands of) photos stored on my devices to revisit the glory I experienced in the moment. And often as I look at the pictures, I see things I didn’t notice before.

Something moves within me when I behold the beauty and majesty of creation, whether it be on the grand scale of a Rocky Mountain sunrise or a tiny ladybug crawling on a plant. I find myself captivated by the level of detail and the interplay of colors. My heart is flooded with awe and wonder – peace, even – and I want more. More beauty. More more glory. More peace. 

It makes me wonder, where do I turn to satisfy the desires of my heart? As much as my heart is enthralled by the splendor of creation, as soon as I look away the feeling goes away. 

Where can I turn for true fulfillment?

“Delight yourself in the Lord,” said King David, “and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) There you have it. Delight yourself in the Lord. Find joy, happiness, meaning, purpose by turning to God. 

And it’s true. There is a radical reorientation that takes place when we delight in the Lord. When we turn to God as the source of our happiness, then the objects of our desires will change. The pursuit of things like wealth, popularity, worldly success will be transformed into the desire to love the Lord with all our being, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. When we delight in the Lord – when we turn to God in our pursuit of happiness and meaning – then our selfish desires and vain conceits will melt away, to be replaced with compassion, mercy, grace, and love. 

When we delight in the Lord, then the desires of our heart will be satisfied because the desires of our heart are now defined by our relationship with God. When we delight in the Lord, we find ourselves wanting the things that God wants for us.

Mind you, I’m still filled awe and wonder in the things I capture through the lens of my camera. But now, instead of the fleeting experience of the stirring in my heart at the beauty of creation, now I find myself filled with joy at the experience of witnessing the glory of the Creator. And that is much more fulfilling.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Wash Away My Sins

 “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:2)

Have I told you that spring is my favorite season of the year? Trick question. It’s true, I love the beauty of the flowers, and I am enthralled as I watch nature awaken from its winter slumber.

But there’s one thing about spring of which I am not a big fan. It kinda grosses me out. It’s the pollen. Between the pine trees, the flowering shrubs, and all the other plants erupting in full bloom, pollen is everywhere. It coats every outdoor surface. When you rub up against something, you come away with a yellow smudge on your clothes. 

I didn't want to shame anybody
by taking a picture of their car,
so I used this meme instead.
Totally accurate depiction.

Cars are especially vulnerable to the pollen. Well, and our noses, too.

Even when I open the door to the car, the pollen has found its way inside, on top of the wheel well. 

It’s everywhere, I tell you. Everywhere.

Thank God for the March rains and April showers, though. Not only do they bring the May flowers, but they also wash the pollen off of everything. After a good shower you will find streams of yellow-streaked runoff carrying the pollen away, and psychedelic pools of water with swirls of pollen floating in them. And just like that, the pollen is gone. Until it comes again. But for a moment, at least, everything is clean.

"For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me."

(Psalm 51:3) 

Whenever I see the spring pollen, I can’t help but think about the pervasive nature of our sin. It’s probably because I’m a Presbyterian, and we are sort of fixated on sin. Sin is everywhere, both personally and collectively. I know a lot of people don’t like to talk about sin, because it sounds preachy. But believe me, sin is real. And it finds its way into every aspect of our lives. Presbyterians, who love to throw around big words, call the thoroughgoing nature of sin “total depravity.” Because simply saying that we are sinners isn't enough.

Sin is everywhere. And here’s the deal: You and I can’t get rid of it, at least not by ourselves. We need help. We need a bath. Or maybe a power wash.

One of my favorite people of the Bible is David. A lot of people like David because he threw a rock at a giant and killed him. I like David because he bares his heart before God. And because he wrote a ton of psalms, he also bares his heart before us. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me… Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:3,5) 

David was a very self-aware person. He knew that on his own he could not escape his sinfulness. The solution to his sin had to come from outside of himself. And so he turned to God:

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:1, 2)

“Purge me with hyssop (whatever that is – probably some kind of supersoap), and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7)

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

In an act of profound faith, David sought what he needed – forgiveness, cleansing from his sin – from God. Because David knew that God is gracious and compassionate, and that God is about the business of forgiving us and renewing us. 

A few hundred years later, one of Jesus’ disciples would offer this assurance: “If we confess our sin, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) There’s that word again – cleanse. God washes our sins away, even better than the spring rains wash away the pollen.

I don’t know about you, but I always feel much better after taking a shower.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, O God, and cleanse me from my sin.