Practicing the Presence (Fifteenth Letter) Pt. 3

Let us begin to be devoted to Him in good earnest. Let us cast everything besides out of our hearts; He would possess them alone. 
(-Br. Lawrence)

I can't help but read this passage and think of the Danish Philosopher Soren Kierkegaard.  In one of his influential books on the spiritual life, he talks about this undivided heart, committed to God.  Without going into too much detail about the book, the name will suffice to make my point.  The title of the book is, "Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing."  Too often, we think of purity in the form of cleanliness or chastity or freedom from guilt, but it is so much more than that.  Think of pure gold or silver.  All of the impurities and contaminants have been removed.  Think of a pure gem that is almost completely transparent and flawless.  Think of water that has been completely purified for drinking.

All of these tie in to what Kierkegaard is saying.  A pure heart is one that has no contaminant, no guilt, no flaw, is completely transparent for all to see.  A completely pure heart is to will one thing - God.  to desire God, to desire God's will, to bring God pleasure, to follow God, to love God.  Purity is to allow all other things that might pollute our devotion to be removed - refined, filtered, boiled, washed.  It is to remove ALL idols from our lives - anything that might threaten to divert our attention from God.  This should always be our goal. 

I hope that reading through this book has been helpful for you.  I know that it has been for me and I look forward to how Goid is go