For the last 15 years, I have been captivated by the power of the message of Psalm 1. Six simple, yet profound, verses establish the importance of where we choose to camp spiritually. The author of the Psalm begins by declaring blessed the person who does not camp on the paths of the wicked, sinners, and mockers. He then goes on to say that the person who puts their roots into the law of The Lord and meditates on it constantly will celebrate abundance in God.

This is a very powerful truth. If we follow the ways of the wicked and make our spiritual home there, we will miss out on tremendous blessings, and may suffer great loss here, and in eternity. However, if we delight ourselves in God’s way, we become like trees planted by streams of fresh water that give life, we flourish, bear fruit, and find strength. In the end, those who camp with God will prosper in what they do, for their foundation will be strong and solid.

In our day, as it was in the Psalmist’s time, there are a myriad of temptations to follow ways that are not of God. Some of these ways come with great cultural support, and we can even be made to feel that we are wrong for not embracing what the world around us says is right. The Bible is clear, however, that God’s ways are not our ways, nor are God’s thoughts our thoughts. It even says that the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God.

It makes all the difference where we camp, and it affects much more than our comfort in the experience. God’s way may not be popular, but it is always right, and if we want to flourish, we must be planted near the streams of healthy water that allow us to grow and thrive.

Unfortunately, there will be times when we will need to choose between being popular and accepted, or being where God calls us to be. When we face these difficult times, it is important to remember where life and blessing are truly found. The world, even our friends, may choose to camp in unhealthy and destructive paths, but we must wisely make camp where God calls us to go.

God’s call may lead us away from what others embrace, but God is not seeking to keep us from enjoying life, instead, God is calling us to the place of blessing, where we can experience God’s abundance, and prosper in all that we do.

May the tree of your life flourish and bear fruit, and may you prosper in all you do as you build your life upon the solid, healthy foundation of God.

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Recently, during my preparations for the new class I am teaching, I happened upon a website with a rich deposit of ancient prayers of the saints. I was pleased because I was looking for prayers to include with the study guides I was creating for the participants. As I browsed, I found these simple, yet profound words to God, offered by the 4th century Christian, Augustine.

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen.

I was, and remain, deeply touched by these unassuming words that link my relationship with the Holy Spirit to my ability to live and act as one who is holy, set apart to God.

Holiness is not an easy task. Maintaining a life of personal and social holiness requires an awareness of the pervasive needs around me and within me. It demands a deep commitment to go beyond acknowledgement of concerns to actions that bring the transforming power of God to work in our circumstances. Holiness of heart and life is a daily discipline that molds our life and the world around us. It is so challenging, that it cannot be accomplished on our own. We need God to enable us to live a life of holiness.

This is where I find Augustine’s prayer so powerful. In simple words, he asks that God would make his inner life holy, and then do the same to his life and work with others. From there, he asks to grow in love of holiness, protecting the ground he already gained while experiencing an even deeper passion for more, until he is completely holy.

John Wesley reminds us that we are God’s people, “going on to perfection.” We are on a journey where the destination is not just heaven, but perfection and holiness in God. Every day, every moment, we can take another step in that direction. Will you join me in praying this ancient prayer and allow God to make us holy inside and out until the light of Christ within us can shine fully and brightly into all the world?

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