Have you ever walked along a river and found flat, smooth stones just waiting to be skipped across the water? Those stones didn’t start out that way. Very likely they were once one of the falling rocks that roadsigns warn to watch for as we drive along mountainous highways that follow a river’s path. Eventually those jagged pieces of rock traveled via a stream of melting snow into a river. If that stream was one where hikers enjoyed cooling their hot feet, no doubt those rocks were the cause of more than a few cries of “ouch” as their sharp edges cut into bare heels and toes. But as time passed, the powerful, steady flow of the river’s water changed their rough edges into smooth.

If my heart were a garden with a pathway of stones and pebbles, what would those stones feel like under someone’s feet? Would they feel soothingly smooth, or would there be occasional sharp pebbles and rocks that caused pain? I’m sure I have jagged stones that I am truly unaware of in my own life. I also am very aware of some sharp-edged pebbles that, though they trouble me, I haven’t yet figured out how to toss them out! 

The thing is, I believe Jesus wants us to become more and more like Him, and when the pebbles in our hearts don’t reflect the love, joy, peace, patience, self control, kindness, etc. of the Holy Spirit, then we have to name our bad attitudes, words, thoughts or actions for what they are…sin.

Today I’m pondering about those things in my heart that I know should be different, better, or even not there at all. I can’t change myself, but God can! How? Water! Just like running river water smooths jagged stones, we need God’s water to smooth our self-willed, pain-causing sinful ways.

God’s water is His Spirit and His Word. Paul said that we, the church, are the bride of Christ, and that Christ gave himself for His bride “to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word so that he may present the church to himself as glorious—not having a stain or wrinkle or any such blemish but holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:26-27

That washing isn’t a quick rinse! It’s a process that takes time. The Roman poet, Ovid, wrote “Dripping water hallows out stone, not by force, but through persistence.” I like that! Persistence implies doing something over and over again.. If we repeatedly open the Word of God and ask the Holy Spirit to allow the cleansing water of His word to flow over us, those changes will come as hard hearts soften.

Psalm 139:23-24 AMPC Search me thoroughly, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Holy Spirit, thank You for preparing me to be part of Christ’s stain-free, wrinkle-free bride. As I step into the river of God’s word daily, I don’t ever want it to be simply a time of acquiring more knowledge. I want to allow its truth to run over and through my heart even into those hidden, hurtful places that I either ignore or am unaware of. I’m asking You to use Your Word to cleanse my soul and smooth my jagged pebbles until I truly become a reflection of Your love to those around me.