In His arms daily

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.

— Psalms 51:10 (AMP)

Sometimes God allows storms, and our own efforts fall short. We become powerless. We lose our joy and strength in the Lord, drifting without direction, completely unaware of how to pull ourselves back into His presence.

Sin separates us from God. That tiny, deceitful seed of a lie, planted in the midst of an argument or in a moment of despair, creates a gap between people. Sin is what made the snake offer that small temptation, causing us to forget God's promises. It seemed harmless but was wrapped in deception.

Our own ways do not always work. Our ideas may fall short, and our thinking can become fruitless. Our self-made promises often yield empty results. We wonder: Where did we miss the turn? Why did we lose our way? What happened to our once-clear conscience, and where did that storm hit from out of the blue?

God allows seasons of pruning. Our true character and heart posture come to light. When our reflection is seen in the presence of other people, we begin to see what is really inside us. Mirrors are everywhere. Are we paying attention to those little seeds in our actions before our thoughts form words? Are we recognizing the many changes in our demeanor when we are put under the Almighty’s inspection? What is truly within us determines what comes out and how much cleansing is needed.

The tongue is an interesting part of the body. Though small, it tends to dominate our other actions. By His word, everything was created. The tongue can give life but can also be destructive, depending on the heart. What are we truly thinking? Where do our thoughts originate? A single word can create an intersection where our narrow path widens, and compromise allows us to open wrong, unattended doors.

How can we fix the mess our own selfish actions have caused? How do we rewind to the beginning and take a step back to find ourselves again? When we sin, we lose not only our direction but also a sense of ourselves. We forget that we were created to bear God’s image. Our identity in Christ is compromised each time we taste the bitter root of the enemy.

Then we lose our peace. A hailstorm rages inside of us, our thoughts flying like arrows in the darkest skies, seizing the foundation of truth and freedom established in Christ. But God does not cancel His promises, even if we are unfaithful. He remains faithful. He leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one who is lost. And even today, He does the same for each of His own beloved sheep—for us all.

He loves us so dearly that He chases us until we start hearing again. His gentle whisper, His beautiful tone, overcomes the resistance that darkness tried to build during our trials. When we are saved, we do not become perfect; we become dependent, more visibly than ever. We realize we cannot do this alone. We understand that our life is a precious gift, and every day we have a choice to make: Are we serving with a purpose to give life or to take away? Our actions speak loudly, and our hearts need daily prayer and reflection. If our words do not align with the truth, it is better to be quiet for a while and wait upon the Lord.

He knows what is needed for us to be reestablished in His truths. He knows what works for each of us individually. Storms come and go, and then comes a morning full of hope. That is when we open our hearts again to hear His voice with a deep desire to follow Him wherever He leads.

"Create in me a clean heart," He repeats in the form of an old hymn. His word sings to us from the Psalms. He is ready to give us life, and His mercies are new each morning.

Are we ready to invite Him in? Are we able to look into the mirror He gently offers, and in that quiet reflection, allow Him to point out the details where our narrow path keeps getting wider? He places His hand on our mouths and tenderly quiets us: "Be still and do nothing. You cannot find a solution, but I can. The moment I chose you and called you mine, I knew your heart, your thoughts, and even your moments of stumbling. Let me go before you and keep you safe."

In that reflection, we become one again. Sin has been defeated, and His promise has set us free. His peace falls upon us like fresh manna from the skies, offering that ever-so-sweet promise: "I've got you back. You're not alone. We'll go together."

It is simply a matter of praying a simple prayer. And He is already there, by your side, by my side, by our side. We are one in Christ, imperfect people working together to glorify our perfect Savior.