Seeing God: Embracing Purity and Presence

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound teaching of Jesus from the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." This statement invites us to explore what it truly means to see God, especially when God is not a physical entity. The essence of this teaching is not about physical sight but about perceiving God's goodness and presence in our lives. The Beatitudes are not a checklist of actions to earn God's favor but an announcement that the good life is accessible to everyone, even those who feel far from it.

The concept of purity in heart is often misunderstood in modern times, reduced to a narrow view of morality. However, purity of heart is about having an undivided will, a singular focus on what is good and true. This undivided will allows us to experience the good life, as it aligns our desires with God's goodness. Seeing God, then, is about recognizing His presence and goodness in our lives, much like Job did after his trials.

We also explored the practice of the presence of God, inspired by Brother Lawrence, who found God in the ordinary moments of life. Despite his struggles and imperfections, Brother Lawrence developed a deep connection with God through simple, heartfelt communication. This practice is accessible to all, regardless of our circumstances or spiritual maturity. It invites us to engage with God in every moment, especially during times of difficulty, and to find joy and companionship in His presence.

The practice of the presence of God is not about achieving perfection but about cultivating a relationship with God that is marked by love, honesty, and simplicity. It is a reminder that God desires for us to enjoy His company and to find solace in His presence, even amidst life's challenges. Today, we are encouraged to embrace this practice, to look for God in the ordinary, and to let our hearts be moved by His love.

Key Takeaways:

- Purity of heart is about having an undivided will, focusing on what is good and true. This alignment allows us to experience the good life and see God's presence in our lives. [01:46]

- Seeing God is not about physical sight but about recognizing His goodness and presence, much like Job did after his trials. This understanding brings peace and answers to our deepest questions. [02:57]

- The practice of the presence of God, as demonstrated by Brother Lawrence, is about finding God in the ordinary moments of life. It is accessible to all and invites us to engage with God in every moment. [04:55]

- This practice is not about achieving perfection but about cultivating a relationship with God marked by love, honesty, and simplicity. It reminds us that God desires for us to enjoy His company. [09:32]

- Embracing the practice of the presence of God allows us to find solace and companionship in His presence, even amidst life's challenges. It is a call to look for God in the ordinary and let our hearts be moved by His love. [10:36]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Seeing God
- [00:28] - The Good Life and God's Presence
- [00:42] - Understanding the Beatitudes
- [00:55] - Purity of Heart Explained
- [01:22] - The Divided Will
- [02:00] - Seeing God Beyond Physical Vision
- [02:27] - Job's Encounter with God
- [03:14] - The Practice of the Presence
- [03:39] - Brother Lawrence's Story
- [04:21] - Practicing God's Presence
- [05:28] - Brother Lawrence's Challenges
- [06:10] - The Impact of Brother Lawrence
- [07:30] - The Power of Brokenness
- [09:12] - The Sacred Practice of Presence
- [10:36] - Embracing God's Presence

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Blessed are the Pure in Heart"

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5:8 - "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
2. Job 42:5 - "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you."
3. Psalm 24:3-4 - "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Jesus mean by "pure in heart" in Matthew 5:8, and how does this relate to the concept of an undivided will? [01:46]

2. How does Job's statement in Job 42:5 reflect a deeper understanding of seeing God beyond physical sight? [02:57]

3. In the sermon, how is Brother Lawrence's practice of the presence of God described as accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances? [04:55]

4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how Brother Lawrence found God in ordinary moments of life? [06:10]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of purity of heart as an undivided will challenge modern perceptions of morality and purity? [01:08]

2. In what ways does Job's encounter with God illustrate the idea that seeing God is about recognizing His goodness and presence in our lives? [02:57]

3. How does Brother Lawrence's story demonstrate that the practice of God's presence is not about achieving perfection but about cultivating a relationship with God? [09:32]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of life's challenges in helping us to see and experience God's presence more fully? [10:36]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel your will is divided? How might focusing on what is good and true help you align your desires with God's goodness? [01:46]

2. Consider a time when you felt distant from God. How might the practice of recognizing God's presence in ordinary moments, as Brother Lawrence did, change your perspective? [04:55]

3. How can you incorporate the practice of the presence of God into your daily routine, especially during times of difficulty or stress? [09:32]

4. Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did you perceive God's presence during that time, and how might you approach similar situations differently in the future? [10:36]

5. Identify one ordinary activity you do daily. How can you use this moment to engage with God and cultivate a deeper relationship with Him? [04:55]

6. Reflect on the idea that God desires for us to enjoy His company. What steps can you take to embrace this truth and find joy in God's presence? [09:32]

7. How can you encourage others in your community to practice the presence of God and find solace in His companionship amidst life's challenges? [10:36]

Devotional

Day 1: The Undivided Heart
Purity of heart is about having an undivided will, focusing on what is good and true. This alignment allows us to experience the good life and see God's presence in our lives. When our hearts are singularly focused on God's goodness, we begin to perceive His presence in every aspect of our lives. This purity is not about moral perfection but about a heart that is wholly devoted to God, free from conflicting desires that pull us away from Him. [01:46]

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where your desires are divided? How can you begin to align this area with God's goodness today?


Day 2: Seeing God Beyond Sight
Seeing God is not about physical sight but about recognizing His goodness and presence, much like Job did after his trials. This understanding brings peace and answers to our deepest questions. In the midst of suffering, Job's encounter with God was not about seeing Him with his eyes but understanding His nature and presence. This spiritual sight allows us to find peace and assurance, knowing that God is with us even when we cannot see Him physically. [02:57]

"I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you." (Job 42:5, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you perceive God's presence and goodness during that time?


Day 3: Finding God in the Ordinary
The practice of the presence of God, as demonstrated by Brother Lawrence, is about finding God in the ordinary moments of life. It is accessible to all and invites us to engage with God in every moment. Brother Lawrence's life teaches us that we don't need extraordinary circumstances to experience God's presence. Instead, we can find Him in the mundane tasks of daily life, transforming them into moments of divine encounter. [04:55]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." (Colossians 3:23, ESV)

Reflection: What is one ordinary task you can transform into a moment of divine encounter today?


Day 4: A Relationship Marked by Simplicity
This practice is not about achieving perfection but about cultivating a relationship with God marked by love, honesty, and simplicity. It reminds us that God desires for us to enjoy His company. Our relationship with God is not based on our ability to be perfect but on our willingness to be honest and open with Him. In this simplicity, we find a deeper connection with God, who longs for us to enjoy His presence. [09:32]

"For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation." (Psalm 149:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you simplify your relationship with God today, focusing on love and honesty rather than perfection?


Day 5: Embracing God's Presence in Challenges
Embracing the practice of the presence of God allows us to find solace and companionship in His presence, even amidst life's challenges. It is a call to look for God in the ordinary and let our hearts be moved by His love. In times of difficulty, God's presence becomes a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that we are never alone. By seeking Him in every moment, we allow His love to transform our hearts and lives. [10:36]

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)

Reflection: During a current challenge, how can you intentionally seek God's presence and let His love move your heart?

Quotes


one of his Beatitudes Jesus says blessed happy flourishing are the pure in heart for they will see God well what does it mean to see God when God doesn't have a body maybe you're not sure that you even want to see God might be kind of like seeing a police car when you're out the highway or maybe you want it more than you want anything else greatest teacher who ever lived said that what's insurmountable and not your problems oh it's the presence of God and his love in your life so you can make this a golden rule day then he makes this remarkable statement blessed or the pure in heart for they will see God [00:00:12]

we've been watching with the Beatitudes they are not things we have to do to try to earn our way into God's kingdom they are the announcement that the good life is available to anybody including people that thought that they were way outside of it and today we look at this particular one the pure in heart the word pure in our day is largely a lost word it sounds kind of prudish like it's just restricted to sexuality but that's not the case it's wonderful word it's a great concept that we actually all want [00:00:48]

Dallas wood among others have talked about the heart and the will are closely connected in the ancient world and our great problem for most of us is we have divided will I don't want to be in great shape but I want to eat these twinkies and I want to learn but I like to just veg out and watch TV Augustine said God make me chased but not yet and and as long as um I'm living with a divided will it's like I'm hitting the gas panel and the brakes at the same time so they have an undivided will to want one thing and particularly to want what is good [00:01:22]

because if I want something but it's not good I'm still going to be kind of divide of inside to want one thing and to have it be good um that is the good life to have an undivided will and Jesus says that what awaits that person in the kingdom is to be able to see God and that's not primarily a physical vision and it's not something that we have to wait for till after we die at the end of The Book of Job eler stump writes wonderfully about this her book wandering in darkness job has been protesting and thundering and then God comes to him [00:02:00]

and he doesn't just ask him difficult questions he asks him questions that point to how good God is and how great God's project is and how gratuitously generous God is to all kind of creatures to ostrich they can't even remember where they laid the egg to the Leviathan that nobody will ever be able to tame or even see and job gets second person knowledge he looks into God's face and see God's goodness and his comment on this was uh before my ears had heard about you but now my eyes have seen you and the idea here is not that I've seen a physical object it is now I know directly how good God is and that answers all my questions [00:02:27]

that tells me that life is good and that my life is good even in the midst of my problems so to see God that's everything and I'll tell you about a little secret weapon we're going through the sermon of the mount but this is a book called the practice of the presence I've been looking forward to telling you about this I am going through this book as I go through the sermon of the mount and as you might know it was written by a man who came to me known as brother Lords but that's not his first name I want to tell you some of his story then you might want to use this very simple part of practicing the presence [00:03:14]

it's a way to see God in your life and you might think of looking for God when then I come home when it's dark and night we go up the Long Street to where we're living here at the cab we will look for crepuscular answers if uh animals if it's twilight or nocturnal answers if it's night so always come to see a POS or a skunk or something but we don't just look for God we look to God in our hearts and in our spirits and and this man Nicholas Herman brother Lawrence was kind of a genius at this you might think that he was born a genius being able to practice the presence of God but you would be wrong [00:03:39]

Carin butcher has done a new translation of this book and she writes uh to do the practice of the prayer presence sometimes called the Methodist method it it can be done by anybody for a micro moment of rest with love we can say whatever is on our mind ask for love share worry be mad give thanks feel Wonder ask for help or just be there's no scorecard on how many times a day we do it no creative AB CD not good news this ordinary practice brings friendship with kindness joy and self compassion this practice is also an exciting daily spiritual experience [00:04:21]

now you might think that Brother LA count of guy that was just always good at this sort of thing just kind of genetically pre-wired for prayer and contact with God not like you an ordinary person no no no no no no no he grew up uh in France actually a section that was hardly even part of France during the three years war initially he became a soldier he was badly wounded he lived with a limp and pain almost all of his life and there were Horrors in the war he would ask God for forgiveness we don't know later on is it what he did to somebody else or what was done to him but being a soldier didn't work out for him [00:05:28]

he became a Hermit and flun out at being a Hermit he became a footman and flunked out of being a footman and eventually he ended up going into a monastic Community he worked in the kitchen for uh many many years and he hated working in the kitchen so uh this is some of his story this is part of what uh Barbara writes in her translation What drew me to brother Len is how really is he developed this practice from his own experience a practice he needed for his own healing and this translation honors and shares his personal wisdom a disabled veteran living with a leing a former prisoner of war raised in poverty was a peasant lacking a traditional education [00:06:10]

a Parisian with a tyrant Tyrant for a King Louis the 14th you might have heard the son God I am the state but it's interesting not many people today read Louis the 14th for guidance in their lives Millions now for many centuries have read this person who died in obscurity and poverty nothing that he said was written down till after he died he was not a famous author a self-described clumsy o uh a survivor of religious wars a sufferer of anxiety a man often in physical Agony from war injuries one of the words that he uses to describe himself was gross large British ugly unwanted clumsy he says he was a clumsy o who broke everything [00:07:30]

and the idea of Brokenness was not just extended to physical objects he was deeply anxious about his own life a deeply broken person you may have read when he was quite young he had a very powerful Vision when he looked at a tree of the goodness of God in the world and how God is present in and cares for everything you can have that moment when you look at a tree but if you think that from that moment on his life was just one of uninterrupted Bliss together with God no no no not at all a man often in physical Agony for war injuries a cook and a sandal repairer this lay brother regularly stopped work headed to the communal prayers limping there with red still wel dishpan hands [00:09:12]

his exceptional calm and responses to life hardships make this unassuming fire and accessible in humanizing Mentor of this - tested practice of the presence prayer and Carmen goes on to write about how this resonated with her because I knew from my own experience of practicing it for decades in response to Childhood trauma before I even knew what presence was or what praying was alongside grain cows and soaring red tail hawks I experience the way nature holds and teaches an injured soul and understood that this power of the presence was somehow with me now how does he describe this so um uh in in his maxims on practicing the presence this is what he says [00:10:36]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?