'Holiness is not a mere abstraction: it is praying and loving and being consecrated, but also it is the doing [of] kind deeds, speaking friendly words, being in a crowd when we long to be alone.'Being spiritual, for her, was not some esoteric experience. It was being patient with a tired and grumpy child; serving the need of her husband when exhausted herself; listening patiently to the complaints of a discontented church member.
From Sharon James' biography of Elizabeth Prentiss 'More Love to Thee'
Often I forget that I stand holy and blameless before God because of the perfect sacrifice of Christ, but more than that, I forget to act out that standing of holiness. I am found blameless, yet I offer many reasons each day to those around me to find fault in my actions, thoughts, and attitudes. This quote from one of Elizabeth Prentiss' letters struck me when I read it. Holiness is not an individual experience, but the way in which we are called to exist. "...but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"(1 Peter 15-16)
So today, I pray that I may exude the holiness that is already credited to my account. "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, who you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
