IN A MINUTE: There was a Crooked Man

Do you remember this nursery rhyme from your childhood?

There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile,

He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile;

He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse,

And they all lived together in a little crooked house.

Sometimes I feel like that crooked man. Isaiah prophesied that the crooked places would be made straight. Now what are crooked places? For me, they are the secret places in my heart. My constant prayer is, “Lord, purify my heart.”

I do not want impurity in my heart: the secret smile when someone gets their just due; the seemingly good motivation that comes from fleshly intents. And the old friends, envy, jealousy, pride of life, lust of the flesh. There are others, of course. But you do not need an introduction. I’m sure they frequent your house too. Sometimes over staying their welcome.

His promise to me is that the pure in heart will see Him. I want to see Him. Therefore, I must be free of the crooked places.