The month of June brought a wind of change in our air quality.  The polluted atmosphere was a result of out-of-control wild fires happening in Canada.  Living just below the Great Lakes, we were affected when this smoky air was pushed south by the winds that consistently swirl our globe. For weeks, going outside for a breath of fresh air was not possible.  My husband’s lungs, weakened by a past illness, had to stay inside because it was a challenge for him to merely breathe.  It was a challenge for all of us.  The air was so thick with smoke at times that it looked like an early morning fog that decided to stay around all day!  The “fog” blocked our sight and filled our lungs with what should not be there.

This pollution of smoke as since dissipated.  Rains came to wash and cleanse our world so all is well again.  Living with pollution that is out of control affects everyone.  Pollution becomes a clogged filter that hampers us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

And since all that happens around me produces a song within me…

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day…

Seriously though, pollution of our hearts, minds, and souls are more deadly than the changing winds.  Listen in as Jesus responds to the criticism of the “pollutants” of his day and turns the discussion into a lesson for all of us. 

Matthew 15, The Message

What Pollutes Your Life

^1-2 After that, Pharisees and religion scholars came to Jesus all the way from Jerusalem, criticizing, “Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?”

^3-9 But Jesus put it right back on them. “Why do you use your rules to play fast and loose with God’s commands? God clearly says, ‘Respect your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.’ But you weasel around that by saying, ‘Whoever wants to, can say to father and mother, What I owed to you I’ve given to God.’ That can hardly be called respecting a parent. You cancel God’s command by your rules. Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye:

These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
    but their heart isn’t in it.
They act like they’re worshiping me,
    but they don’t mean it.
They just use me as a cover
    for teaching whatever suits their fancy.”

^10-11 He then called the crowd together and said, “Listen, and take this to heart. It’s not what you swallow that pollutes your life, but what you vomit up.”

¹² Later his disciples came and told him, “Did you know how upset the Pharisees were when they heard what you said?”

^13-14 Jesus shrugged it off. “Every tree that wasn’t planted by my Father in heaven will be pulled up by its roots. Forget them. They are blind men leading blind men. When a blind man leads a blind man, they both end up in the ditch.”

¹⁵ Peter said, “I don’t get it. Put it in plain language.”

^16-20 Jesus replied, “You, too? Are you being willfully stupid? Don’t you know that anything that is swallowed works its way through the intestines and is finally defecated? But what comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It’s from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing. That’s what pollutes. Eating or not eating certain foods, washing or not washing your hands—that’s neither here nor there.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Bottomline:  What goes in comes out.

• That cheeseburger and fries I had yesterday will eventually find it’s way to the toilet.  Was eating that with a sugary dessert afterward a good choice to keep my body healthy?  Probably not.  Why get frustrated then when I can’t seem to lose the unwanted pounds?  Mm.

• That movie I watched yesterday was full of foul language, abuse, and violence.  Why do I feel depressed afterward?  Why do I get angry at the little things in life that just happen?  Why can’t I get control of my ever-changing feelings?

• Why is it that I read my Bible but immediately look for ways to judge others with what it says with little to no thought about looking inward?  In fact, when I really dive deep, with this attitude, it is easy to think of more rules that will “help” people do better. 

• Why do I feel worse after yelling at company who didn’t do their job?  Was that me cursing?  I didn’t know I knew those words that came out of my mouth!

• I bought more than I needed and now I’m frustrated with the amount in my bank account.  What!?  You mean I must put money in to get money out?  I can’t spend more that I make?

“Jesus, could you make it plainer?”  Oh Peter, we get it, we just ignore it.

“What comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart”—Jesus

Whatever we feed our hearts, minds and souls is what will come flowing freely from our mouths and actions.  Our behaviors reflect what we truly believe—especially when pushed into a corner by frustration.  “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” writes the apostle Paul to the Romans and to us. (Romans 3:23)

But there’s hope for us!  That hope is Jesus!  Pause to reflect…

What we think about most is who or what we worship.  Who or what do I think about most?

What fills my heart?  What and how am I feeding my mind?  What refreshes my very soul? 

God’s gift of His Holy Spirit comes to live in us to help us.  He provides comfort, wisdom for living along with warnings of what is not good for us when we ask, seek and knock on God’s door. 

And remember earlier when Jesus talked about the treasure of knowing God?  When we seek God, we will find Him.  When we seek to live like Jesus, His Holy Spirit helps us.  What a priceless treasure.  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”—Jesus (Matthew 6:21)

Lord,

Jesus, you are at the heart of it all.  Cleanse our hearts, renew and transform our minds, refresh and feed our souls and restore the joy of your salvation at work in us.  We know that peace comes as our minds become more and more focused and fixed on you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Ah…I can see clearly now…it’s gonna be a bright, bright SON shiny day!