The preacher was talking about "holy living". Sharon yawned. It made her think
of quiet monasteries. Surely "holiness" could not be expected in this day and
age! She dismissed the word as old and musty, and the sermon as irrelevant.
Before going to sleep Sharon opened her Bible. Tonight she would read a quick
Psalm. Verse 6 of Psalm 51 jumped out at her.
"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost
place."
The Holy Spirit shone His light into her heart. Suddenly, with clarity, she
understood what holiness was. God was whispering to her heart, "Holiness is
truth in the inner parts."
She hadn't expected God to really speak to her heart tonight. The inner parts
were the places no one else saw... except for God. This was where her true
attitudes lived, this was where she hid the words that sprang to her mind when
she was angry, and this was where the justifications of her little white lies
were tucked away.
Sharon recently asked God to help her become "whole" as she struggled with some
issues in her life. She had no idea that "wholeness" comes through "holiness".
Sharon knew she needed God's wisdom to teach her in these hidden places. A new
desire for holiness sprang up in her heart. With the light of God's Spirit
shining on these hidden areas, Sharon knew she wanted to live differently.
What a revelation! God had so gently taken her heart and drawn her on toward
wholeness. Never again would she see "holiness" as musty and irrelevant.
She asked God to forgive her for the hidden things in her heart. With His help
she would begin telling the truth in her inner part. She thanked Him for showing
her the true meaning of a holy life. She asked Him to bring His wisdom into the
places where attitudes, words and integrity were hidden issues that were
silently robbing her of all God wanted to do in and through her. Holiness... the
pathway to wholeness!
Father God, today I want to thank You for never leaving me alone. You always
draw me on in my walk with You. Thank You for showing me that holiness is simply
"truth in the inner parts." Today I invite You to penetrate my inner parts and
reveal to me the areas where You want to free me from hidden thoughts, words,
attitudes, and integrity issues only I know about. I need Your wisdom in these
places as I journey on to wholeness. Thank You for the light of Your Holy Spirit
in my heart. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Gail Rodgers
editor@christianwomentoday.com
About the Author
Gail Rodgers draws from her own life experience in her roles as wife, mother of
three, business woman and as a pastor to women. She has a passion for
discovering and sharing how the Scriptures apply in very practical ways where we
live and walk each day. She resides in Alberta, Canada with her family. Thanks
to www.christianwomentoday.com and
www.gailrodgers.ca
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