Create in me a clean heart

Part of my family lives in Minnesota, so you can understand why what happened there recently really hit home. {For those of you who aren’t familiar with what’s going on in the states, here it is…

George Floyd was a 46-year old black man suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill. He died after a white officer held him down on the ground with the officer’s knee pressing down on Floyd’s neck. Floyd pleaded with him – stating that he couldn’t breath. He died after being held down for approximately nine minutes. This was all caught on video and has been shared via news media and the internet. The officer was first fired, then later charged. Protests have taken place everywhere – some peaceful, some are not.

As the days have gone by since that day, there’s something that really pierced my heart. Not to deny that there is a racial problem, but this is what consumes my thoughts: The way the police officer held down George Floyd, and the fact that the other officers stood there watching reflects an attitude or belief that life doesn’t matter when someone has done something wrong. Maybe that’s not true for every one of them that stood by, however, it’s the message that was sent.

Friends, where would we be now if God handled us in such a way? Time after time I have sinned – we ALL have, yet He still loves us. There are consequences to our actions, but there is also hope for tomorrow. Better yet – forgiveness. I still have to do my part and repent and stop doing whatever it is I’m doing wrong, but God continues to give me the tools that I need to overcome.

How did we develop this attitude that WE are the judge? All you have to do is look at the comments after a FB post is made.

For example, have you known someone who was arrested for drugs, underage drinking, or for stealing? Did you think ‘they’ll never change’ or did your heart fill up with compassion and pray to our creator for that person and their family? Have you tried to come up with solutions that would help those who struggle with addiction etc., or do you write them off as losers and find yourself muttering these words: They’ll never amount to anything.

There is a place where we all can find the wisdom, hope, and encouragement that we need for today – and that’s in God’s Word. People sin – and their selfishness, pride and jealousy causes them to hurt people – physically and/or mentally. Look what happened to Joseph. His brothers were jealous of their own brother – so they sold him into slavery. He later had the opportunity to destroy them, and yet he chose to forgive them. Instead of developing a bitter heart, he saved them and many others. When we allow the love of Christ to dwell in our hearts and stop judging, love wins. Change happens.

There’s one more story that I have to share. It was about a man who was betrayed by his own friends, falsely accused by others, and was tortured to death as many stood by – cheering. He was an innocent man. You might have heard about him – his name was Jesus.

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

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

”Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command:Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” 1 John 4:20-21