Published on 05/29/2008

We learned that to be "pure in heart" is to have a single life purpose. Our postmodern culture claims that no such focus exists, that life is chaotic and truth is subjective.

I'm using my fingers to type this morning's essay, which makes me less advanced than two monkeys I know. Today's New York Times tells us about a report released yesterday describing two monkeys who have learned to control a mechanical arm with just their thoughts. Tiny sensors in their brains have produced this remarkable advance. Brain-controlled prosthetics may now be technically within reach. One day I may just think the morning essay and my mechanical hands will type it. If the Texas Rangers could adapt this technology to pitching, we'd be in the World Series.

Mind over matter applies to more than just matter. For several days we've been seeking the true happiness Jesus offers by exploring his Beatitudes. Yesterday we began to study his sixth promise: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:9). We learned that to be "pure in heart" is to have a single life purpose. Our postmodern culture claims that no such focus exists, that life is chaotic and truth is subjective. Why seek a single transforming purpose for your life this morning?

One answer is practical: greatness requires focus. Winston Churchill in June of 1941 said to the House of Commons, "I have but one purpose, the destruction of Hitler, and my life is much simplified thereby." British scholar William Barclay claimed: "A man will never become outstandingly good at anything unless that thing is his ruling passion. There must be something of which he can say, 'For me to live is this.'"

A second answer is logical: if the universe were chaotic, you and I would never be able to know it or say it. Red today would be green tomorrow. Stand before a Jackson Pollock painting, splotches on canvas, and tell me what it "means." Or before a Marc Rothco single color painting. Again, no meaning. Both artists committed suicide, by the way.

If the world were chaotic like their paintings, there could be no objective truth, not even the objective statement that there is no objective truth. And we couldn't speak of truth, for language could have no common meaning between us.

A third answer is biblical. Jesus warned us: "No man can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24). James added this command: "Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8). To purify our heart we must not be "double-minded." Rather, we must define and fulfill a single transforming life purpose. What should yours be? Let's continue tomorrow.