The "H" Word

It's not what you think.  The "H" word is "Holy."  This seems to be a word and concept totally shunned and missing everywhere in our lives.  When is the last time you heard the word, 'holy,' anywhere spoken?

We strive to be successful, wise, sophisticated, accepting, street-smart, ethical, energetic, friendly, appreciated, poised, respected, diplomatic, mature, worthy of honor, and on and on.  But 'holy?'  Give me a break.  I'm NOT holy!!

Well, why not?  Is it that we feel we're not good enough, that we're so bad we could never be holy?  Is it too much trouble to even think of being holy?  Is 'holiness' a state only reached by a few grumpy saints?  OR: are we afraid there might be much about our lives we might have to change in order to try to be holy?!

If we go to church at all, ever, we're used to singing "Holy, Holy, Holy!"  That's OK.  That's easy.  We're with a bunch of people all singing.  But saying 'holy?'  I don't even remember the preachers preaching about holiness.

Just for fun, why don't we try acclimating ourselves to saying the word, 'holy.'  Say it out loud, 'holy.'  Say it out loud a couple of times, 'holy, holy.'  That didn't hurt!  Now say out loud, 'I want to be holy!'

It's not hard to decide to be holy.  Holiness is a decision, merely the state of wanting to do good in all things.  That, sometimes, will be very hard. Like anything else, the more we practice holiness, the easier it will become.  Holiness leads us to want to pray, communicate with our God in Heaven.  He is always there, helping us, loving us, every minute of our existence.  He knew us before we were conceived in our mother's womb, has 'counted every hair on our heads.'  God wants us to love him, as he loves us.  This is what holiness is.  We can do it!  We can give thanks for everything and everyone that touches us.  We can ask for help in the great things and small things of our lives.  We can praise God, who is all-worthy of our praise and adoration.  This is also what holiness is.

Today, Sunday, the Lord's Day for Christians, may be a special time for us to relax, think about holiness, and immerse ourselves in it.

Lord, you have given us everything we ever have had, everyone who has ever helped us, our every talent.  We thank you and we love you, as you have loved us!  Help us want to be holy!