Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
This was the prayer that changed Lisa’s life.
Before she prayed it one night in her room,
she was a selfish person. She went about
her busy life, not having time for anyone.
She went to church, yes, but she never
expressed any interest in being involved
in any of the ministries. She didn’t attend
the afternoon programs or prayer meetings.
She never joined the youth group who
visited the senior homes. She left church
soon after the service ended.
She didn’t visit her family often and
when she did, she found them all very tiresome.
She preferred to be on her own. She spent
most of her time reading a book, watching TV
or browsing shops in the mall. Her relationships
didn’t last. All of her exes got tired of giving and
not getting much back.
She managed to convince herself that she was
satisfied with how her life was. No obligations, no
commitments and no constraints. She was free to
come and go as she pleased. In her estimation, she
was doing just fine.
But God had other plans for her. One evening she
watched a story of an older woman named Edith
who was always kind to everyone. She had to go to
hospital for tests. It turned out that she was terminally
ill. Instead of sinking into depression and being angry
at God, she accepted her fate. She spent the time she
had in the hospital telling everyone who would listen
about Jesus. She helped a young girl who was pregnant
and unwed. She didn’t judge her but spoke kindly to her.
She gave her the name and address of a women’s shelter
where she could go and stay until she was able to find a job
and raise her baby. Edith didn’t think about herself. She
was always reaching out to those around her, talking to
them, encouraging them and sharing her faith with them.
By the time Edith died, many of the people whose lives
she touched accepted Jesus. Before the movie ended,
Lisa was sobbing uncontrollably. This woman’s unselfish
character and love for others made her feel ashamed. She
knew that if she had been in Edith’s shoes, she would have
been lashing out and asking God why. Not once did this
gentle woman do that. She was always saying, “That she
was looking forward to going to sleep and then waking up
when the trumpet sounded and her Jesus came to take her
home.
Lisa got down on her knees and poured her heart out to
God, begging Him to forgive her and the words of the
Psalm came to her. God answered her prayer. Now,
she was a driver for a senior centre. She took clients for
their appointments, treatment programs, shopping, banking
and other daily chores. The hours were flexible. She
loved what she was doing.
Like Edith, she shared her faith every opportunity she had.
She attended prayer meetings and participated in church
programs and events. Her time was better spent now and she
felt a joy and peace she had never experienced before. Her family
noticed the changes in her and were impressed.
And on a more personal note, she was in a new relationship.
He was a volunteer at the senior centre. So far, so good. Only
time would tell. For now, she was happy serving the Lord who
had opened her eyes to her true spiritual condition and had
brought her to the place He had prepared for her. He had given
her a completely different outlook and a new purpose for her life.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven – Matthew 5:16
Sources: Bible Gateway; Lumacare
