Purity

                 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. (Psalm 119:9)

 

Purity has a bad reputation, and that’s probably because it’s not fun. It’s seen as saying no to all sorts of things that “no one in their right mind” would want to say no to. Sometimes, it requires us to say yes to things we want to say no to, but others insist that we say, “Yes.” Effectively, purity requires that we choose a way of looking at the universe and ourselves and sticking with it even when it’s not convenient or pleasant to do so.

But C.S. Lewis’ claim comes to mind. He said that our problem is that we settle for other things instead of stretching ourselves to get what we truly long for. People like Tiger Woods also come to mind. They set their hearts of becoming something great, like a great golfer. And at first, he did all that was necessary, not letting other things get in the way. He became a great golfer. Then his game slipped because he started letting things get in the way of golf. Things like life, and a wife. They’re not necessarily bad things, but we often find ourselves required to make choices between good things – and too often, I settle for the easiest good thing.

When one is pure, one doesn’t allow oneself to be swayed by every fad or whim that comes along. One remains focused. One keeps the main thing, the main thing. And while we may think, “How boring,” we tend to be impressed by what those who have been pure are able to accomplish.