I talked with a friend last night about how everyone brings their own perspective to faith and even to God's Holy Word.

As I waited for a scheduled meeting to begin, he pulled up a chair and began sharing details with me about a recent discussion he had had with some fellow Christians about the Beatitudes. 

His is "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Matthew 5:8)  By his interpretation, that means if we live and love in a way that pleases God, we will eventually see God in Heaven, face to face.

He took issue with the fact that one of the people in the group questioned his reasoning.

This person had concluded that Matthew 5:8 meant we'd also see God on earth - in our fellow human beings.

My friend said he often finds that hard to do, especially with his fellow Christians.

"I see God in the birds and in the trees and in the sunshine God gives each day, but in the human heart? There's jealousy and fighting and deceit - in the church."

I was briefly taken aback by his cynicism. I had to acknowledge, however, that to some extent he was telling the truth.  After all, that's why Christians need church - it's technically a hospital for the brokenhearted, broken-spirited and those in need of God's unfailing love.

In a world where envy, strife and the like are expected and sometimes even celebrated, few people value those who seek to have pure hearts and to love others as Jesus did during his time on earth.

I thought about my daily encounters with others and whether I leave people feeling better or worse for having been in my presence.  Since I'm nowhere near perfect, I'm sure I've done both, and sometimes still do.  But what are my heart's motives?

Am I intentionally disdainful and difficult, or do I seek to love as God loves, to give as He requires and to routinely share those gifts with others?  Or do I more often bow to our society's focus on "what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine"?

I'm convinced the latter perspective is what has gotten many of us in trouble - and left this member of my church feeling like there's no safe haven from misuse or abuse, even by those who utter praises to God and call themselves his children.

I'm an optimist, though.  I still believe there is good in most people. If we can find those seeds in each other and nurture them into vines that stretch toward God's love, awesome and wonderful transformations can happen.

It starts with me.  And you. And the next person who passes along pearls of love by showing kindness and regard, and by loving others rather than competing against or judging them.

If there's a scripture in the Bible indicating that God will bless the pure in heart, surely there are people who fit that bill.  Why else would God have breathed life into that Word?

Even with my imperfections, I'll keep trying to let his light shine through my speech, my deeds and my writing.  I'll pray that my friend begins to see that light more often in me and in others - when he least expects it but can appreciate it most.