“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14, NRSV)
What might our lives look like – or sound like – if our words were acceptable to God? Maybe there would be no hate or cursing of another. Maybe there would be fewer tears and instead more laughter. Maybe all persons would feel safe to wander freely throughout all of Creation. Maybe we would all hold each other accountable. I know that it is not always easy to speak in a manner adequate enough for the One who empowers, sustains, and redeems. If we’re being honest, it’s extremely difficult. From exchanging Godly encouragement with our neighbors to giving God the praise that the Divine is due, we fall short. Or, perhaps we find speaking words pleasing to God easy. Yet, what about the meditations of our hearts? Oft I find myself able to think before I speak, able to regulate the words I utter; but often when I have unacceptable thoughts in my heart, they rush in more quickly than I can stop them. While I must ask God for forgiveness for these thoughts, I also mustn’t dwell on the fact that I have them. I am human. I am susceptible. I am corruptible. God knows all this – and God still loves me anyways. God loves each of us in our fallible state and God gave each of us freewill to decide whether we act on the unacceptable meditations of our hearts or not. It is in this decision where we intimately encounter God. Sometimes, our supplications for strength for “the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to” the O LORD are enough to unharden our heart and act in the way of Christ. Other times, we may make the wrong decision. Our unacceptable thoughts become unacceptable words or actions. When this happens, we have the opportunity to experience God’s grace and mercy. We can lift our eyes to the Cross and admit that we messed up. In that moment, God embraces us with Parental arms and welcomes us back. This is the beauty of God as rock and redeemer – a God who hears our prayers, knows our hearts, and will always welcome us home. Our job, then, is to share this grace with others. |