Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter posted: " Renewing a Steadfast Spirit Last week, I wrote about God making us (and all things) new. An ongoing, continuous process. We're like old-fashioned wooden pencils -- God sharpens us and we write nice and cleanly, crisply, again. But over time, we get du" Master's Canvas - Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter
Last week, I wrote about God making us (and all things) new. An ongoing, continuous process. We're like old-fashioned wooden pencils -- God sharpens us and we write nice and cleanly, crisply, again. But over time, we get dull. We get distracted, we lose our focus. We forget about the miracles of parting the Red Sea and manna, and instead focus on our brief and temporary thirst. We wander in the wilderness, complaining that God has abandoned us.
But then, when we recognize our wayward ways, we must turn back to our loving and patient Creator and ask Him for His help, to make us new.
Thankfully, He welcomes us back when we go crawling back to Him. In fact, He runs out to meet us and wraps His arms around us, hugging us like we never left.
Also thankfully, we're not alone in this cycle. We all know "real" (i.e., honest) followers of Christ who have gone through the same thing, who have traveled similar circular paths. That's one of the reasons I shared that part of my journey last week.
And as I thought about it over this past week, I realized that the Bible is full of stories of people who have followed the same journey of clinging desperately to God, falling away, and then returning to Him begging for forgiveness.
One such case is David, perhaps Israel's greatest king. A man after God's own heart. He had killed Goliath with nothing but a stone and a complete and utter dependence on God. But over time, he became more full of himself than he was with the Spirit of God (like we all do). He really blew it with Bathsheba, then had her husband killed to try to cover it up. Talk about falling away!
But then he wrote the fifty-first Psalm, which includes this heartfelt plea:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
The juxtaposition of these two passages offers profound wisdom for us. These verses not only highlight the importance of foundational strength but also remind us of the constant need for renewal in our walk with God.
A Heart Renewed
In Psalm 51:10, David begs God for a renewed heart. At the same time, he asks for a steadfast spirit, the ability to stay close to God so he wouldn't keep stumbling. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of our need for God's transformative work within us. In a world that often pushes us toward instability and doubt, the plea for a steadfast spirit resonates deeply. It's an acknowledgment of our human frailty and a declaration of our dependency on God's renewing power.
A Foundation Unshaken
Jesus' parable about building our house on solid rock (Matthew 7:24-27) complements this plea beautifully. It's a vivid illustration of the life that withstands trials and storms, rooted firmly in faith and obedience. This story encourages us to examine the foundation of our lives: Are we building on the shifting sands of worldly values, or are we grounded in the eternal truths of God's Word?
Interweaving Themes for Today
In our pursuit of spiritual growth, these messages urge us to build our lives on the solid rock of Christ's teachings while seeking a heart renewed by God's grace. They teach us that true stability comes from a steadfast spirit and a life built on faith. Through personal reflection and commitment, we can navigate the challenges of life with confidence, knowing our foundation is secure.
A Journey of Renewal
As I mentioned last week, I've begun my journey of renewal, recognizing that God is making me new. And things are looking up. But even if they weren't, I would keep doing at least one thing differently each day until they were. And I would keep asking God to make me new.
We should all embrace the journey of renewal, for to travel through life with Christ is to be made new as He chisels away our old selves so that we, bit by bit, can look more like Him. If we ask God to create clean hearts in us, He will grant that. How long will each of us let our hearts remain that way? If we ask Jesus to renew our steadfast spirits, to help us ground our lives in His unshakable Truth, He will help us do that, too.
He wants to prepare us to weather whatever storms crash upon our shores. He will guide us on a path of continual spiritual renewal, if only we let Him.
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