Things we take for granted today were deadly years ago.  Even if you are not OC about having your hands clean, it is still a good practice to do so.  So we have all kinds of bacterial soap.  We carry around hand cleanser that evaporates.  (I started doing that on Sunday mornings now…when I remember).   Several months ago I was given a book called Letters to Pastors that I tried reading at night before I “checked out” but found it an effort in futility.  So I finally brought it to the office and now use it in the morning during my Quiet Time.  The chapters are only about 2 pages each but so far I have found them filled with good stuff.  I suggest you buy a copy and “bless” your pastor with it. In an earlier chapter he tells the story of how the death rate of babies born at Vienna General Hospital was five times higher that that of woman who had their babies at home.   In 1846 that began to change when Dr. Phillip Semmelweis became the assistant obstetrician at Vienna General.  When the baby died they called it “The Childbed Fever.”  Vienna General called it “bad luck.”   Blame went everywhere, especially onto  the foreign doctors until Dr. Phillip began to observe that doctors went from autopsies of cadavers in the morgue to birthing babies-without washing their hands. He began a crusade for washing the hands between procedures but whether you can believe it or not…it fell on deaf ears.  The hospital and doctors raised a stink and did the only thing they knew to do…they fired Dr. Phillip.  He continued to debate his case until finally the medical field listened.

Several things came to mind when I read that and think about it now.  First, how much like us it is to place the blame on someone else rather than face the truth.  Being challenged on long held beliefs is often uncomfortable and in the case of Dr. P it cost him his job.  I know many pastors (as do you) who will not challenge the status quo because of fear and I know many churches & pastors who will not accept any challenge to long held stands.  Second,  James 4:8 says, “Cleanse your hands, you sinners.” Ps.24:3-4 says, “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?  And who shall stand in his holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false.” The picture of clean hands is one of purity…purity of Christ-followers but especially of those who are His public instruments.  May we all be able to sing:  “Give us clean hands, give us pure hearts, let us not lift our souls to another…O God let us be a generation that seeks, that seeks  your face O God of Jacob.”  Well…gotta go now and wash my hands.

Your thoughts?  I would like to hear them.