PURE

White, purity, innocence—roses of this hue convey many quiet messages. Appropriately, they’re often carried by brides. But for me, the bush of white roses in our yard communicate life. In 1998, in the foothills of Oregon’s snow-capped Mt. Hood, my family of four was almost killed by a drinking driver. Our car was demolished; we were injured, but lived. Not long after, we needed to replace an ailing rose. My husband chose this one whose name is—appropriately—“Mt. Hood.” Its first bloom is full of clusters of white beauty, and it often reminds me of scripture that speak to purity, like these—among the first I memorized as a young adult in a Bible memory program.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:9-11 NIV)

DARK AND LIGHT
That verse sits in the back of my mind as I try to be understand people and situations that seem just "not right." One thing that's helped is a daily diet of Proverbs--reading the chapter that corresponds to the day of the month--in addition to other scriptures. Over and over, as I read and think through its aphorisms, I absorb its truths and gain God's perspective. Yesterday, as I noticed the pen-dots I'd previously put by certain verses in Proverbs 29 (which says much about anger and scoffing), I realized God was reminding me again that behaviors I was enduring from a troubled person were just not right in His sight. "Whoever trusts in the Lord," said the end of verse 25, "is kept safe."  And that's what I took into my day.

Recently I was researching the story behind the hymn “Take Time to Be Holy,” whose lyrics were written by William Longstaff, a 19^th century businessman who gave generously to God’s work. Among the evangelists he  befriended were Salvation Army-founder William Booth and evangelist Dwight Moody. Longstaff was inspired by this Bible verse: “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16, related to Leviticus 11:44). His poem based on that verse eventually found a tune match in 1882, and became a favorite through Moody crusades.

There’s some good stuff in that hymn about growing closer to God: Speak oft with thy Lord. Care for God’s children. Let Jesus be your Guide. Let people see Jesus in your conduct. Be led in love by God’s spirit.

But don’t take my word for it.   Find a hymnal and read the lyrics. Then think of a man in the sometimes rough rounds of business seeking to make a difference for Christ. Trying to be the white rose against the darkness of a world that’s lost its Jesus-perspective. Doing what’s right (which, by the way, rhymes with “white”).