Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matt. 5:8

Chariots of Fire is the story of two athletes competing in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams. If you’ve seen the film, you will likely remember that only one of the two actually made the great impact on the lives of people worldwide and is still remembered more than any of the other athletes who ran for gold medals in 1924. It was Eric Liddell. Why is that?

When you look at the life and character of Eric Liddell in contrast to Harold Abrahams and other talented athletes in the film, what stands out is the singular direction and commitment of Eric’s heart. When his sister chides him for running competitively instead of pursuing his missionary work in China, he replies, “I believe God made me for a purpose. But he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” It was this singular focus of his heart on God’s purpose and glory that brought him to the attention of the world when he refused to compromise his beliefs for worldly accomplishments. He never lost sight of who he was and why God made him.

And that brings us to the sixth Hallmark of a truly blessed life from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount:

A SINGULAR Heart. When Jesus spoke of the pure in heart in Matthew 5, He was the heart of a person who has no other idols or gods distracting him from the purposes of God. The appetites that drive such a heart are fully directed towards righteousness and God’s purposes. That’s because a pure heart is singular and undivided. It makes no room for the vile or unholy, but is focused entirely upon things above. David said it this way: “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” (Psalm 86:11). The temptations and lures of success the world offers do not cause a change in direction.

James reminds us that a double-minded man is completely unstable in everything he does. A singular heart, on the other hand, stand resolutely on what is true and places trust in the wisdom and sovereignty of God. This steadfastness is seen whether in days of sunshine or long bouts of storms and cloud-filled days. It is a path we choose, and even when we stray from that path, a pure heart recognizes that and turns quickly toward the right path.

As a grandparent I can have a powerful impact upon my grandchildren who will be observing my story—a story that exposes them to what is truly important in my life. The treasures of my heart tell them much, as we discussed in an earlier post. Eric Liddell knew that God’s purpose for his life involved running, but he also knew that was not the primary purpose. His undivided heart—to know and give glory to God in the directions God gave to his life—remained undeterred by the opinions of others or the lures of worldly successes.

That’s a legacy worth passing on to another generation, for Jesus said the pure in heart will see God. I suspect that others will also see God in such a person.

Grandpause: What in your life distracts you from God’s perfect purpose and path for you? What is it that divides your attention, and draws you away from seeing God in His glory and goodness? What steps is God calling you to take to restore a pure, undivided heart that will point your children and grandchildren to the truth that only Christ can satisfy a longing heart?