Pure in Heart

This week, we continue with the sixth beatitude found in Matthew 5:8:
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

 

Five years ago, I made a life-altering decision: I resigned from Elevation Church. Heather and I had been one of the eight founding families, and I had served on staff as a pastor for 15 years. It was all we had ever known. Just months later, I found myself interviewing for the position of director of spiritual formation at Westminster Christian School in Miami, Florida. I had very little experience in education— and even less with Miami, I’d only visited a couple of times. Meanwhile, Heather had a great job in Charlotte, we had a stable life, deep friendships, and family nearby. Everything in me longed for clarity. I needed direction. I needed to see what God wanted me to do.

 

Moments like these can shape the trajectory of our entire lives. Where should I go to college? Should I live with my mom or my dad? Should I date this person? Should I go to that party? Should I take the position in Miami, Florida? These aren’t just decisions; they’re crossroads. And we often find ourselves desperate for clarity.

 

Jesus speaks directly into that desire in this beatitude. He says that our ability to see—to recognize God’s presence and discern His will—is directly connected to the purity of our heart. In other words, clarity doesn’t come from perfect circumstances or airtight logic. It comes from the condition of your soul.

 

So what does it mean to be “pure in heart?” It means to be undivided in your devotion to God, free from hidden agendas, or, at least honest before God. Purity of heart doesn’t mean perfection—it means authenticity, humility, and a desire to walk closely with God.

 

The promise Jesus gives is stunning: the pure in heart will see God. Not just in heaven someday, but here and now—in the decisions we make, in the relationships we form, and in the direction we choose. Thankfully, my family’s move to Miami has been blessed, and I feel that God has aligned my steps in my role at Westminster. Trusting God with life’s decisions, big and small, is not easy but seeing God in the work of your hands and in your relationships is a tremendous gift.