And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
1 John 3: 3
I loved my job as a nursing supervisor for a home health agency so much that I turned down an interview two times to become a Director of Nursing for a dialysis company. My boss was the best and understood that there were two sides to a story. She was fair, uncomplicated and always had an open door policy. However, she decided to buy a winery and move to Northern California. Personally, at that time my heart was broken because as a boss she was the best. Deanna Starr you had my total support and as bosses you were pure-in-heart. To this date, I never worked for a more beautiful and fair person. She left and had this entrepreneurship inside of her and her and her husband bought Milano Winery. As with all agencies, the position’s filled. In stark contrast to what I’d been used to it was time to dust off my resume’. One day after a meeting with the new director of nurses, I received a call to interview with this infusion company.
Beloved, number twenty-two characteristic of a born-again believer is pure-in-heart. Pure is defined as free of any contamination, clean, clear, fresh, sparkling, unpolluted, uncontaminated, and untainted. We see in the sermon on the mount Jesus speak of the pure-in-heart. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). The Greek word in Matthew 5:8 is katharos, the word pure can be referred as something that purified by power or pruning. Jesus refers to believers as being the branches and to Himself as being the vine (John 15:1-17). A vine will produce fruit but needs pruning. Pruning is described as trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to increase fruitfulness and growth. When we look at the word “heart “we are not speaking of the organ that beats in your chest. The Greek word for the heart is kardeeah. We are talking about the center of the spiritual life. It is where thoughts, desires, a sense of purpose develop and one that is pure-in-heart is one who brings those thoughts and desires in line with God’s will. Beloved, what needs to be cut away so that you are pure-in-heart. Perhaps praying Psalm 51:10 will help, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Beloved, number twenty-two characteristic of a born-again believer is one is pure-in-heart.
I accepted the position as Director of Nurses and learned a valuable lesson. We have seasons of growth and then we need to apply what we learned and not be afraid of the future. Accepting this job motivated me to get my Master’s Degree in Nursing. The antagonist in my life prompted me to seek God’s will and not accept the lie of her disapproval. I continued to remember what my wonderful mentor, Deanna, had instilled in me. Although I’m retired, I still know the qualities of a great boss because of Deanna Starr. When you have worked for the best, all you can do is try to emulate what you learned. My career in management was enriched because of Deanna. I thank God for her influence in my life. I did my best to be pure-in-heart in my management decisions.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
God gave me such a wonderful nursing career.
Father God, thank you for pruning the dead wood from me. Lord, prune us to make us pure-in-heart. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me. Thank you for Deanna and how she influenced my life, I ask that you bless her. Lord for the woman who needs a job or needs help with her boss, please give her peace that you are with her as you did me all those years ago. I ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen
What do you need to do to add or subtract in your life to be pure-in-heart? Proverbs 3: 4-7
This post is part of a 31 day series on the Characteristics of a Believer. I am so glad that you are here. To read all of the posts in this series, click here.
