What I have meditated on today is this - If I don't have a generous heart, then what is the true nature of my heart? But more importantly, what do I want it to be?
- A heart for Jesus?
- A heart rooted in love?
- A broken heart?
- A tender heart?
- A selfless heart?
- A courageous heart?
I think I want to be all of those. But what comes first? What's most important?
I think the God was very clear in both the Old Testament and when Jesus speaks in the New Testament. In Psalm 51:10, David writes, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." And Jesus affirms in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
I think there's my answer. I want to be able to describe my heart as clean and pure. Wow - that's hard and I'm sure hoping I'm not in this alone.
So where do I - scratch that - we (remember I said, surely I'm not alone) go from here?
This indicates to me that we can't do it alone. I think part of it is just being honest and asking God to create in us clean hearts. In my case, I probably will have to do this EVERY DAY. And maybe sometimes more than once a day. Whenever I find myself being judgmental, or tempted to gossip, or selfish, or greedy, or (this list could be whole post on it's own) - because I have purposed to memorize scripture - I can pray Psalm 51:10 over my own heart right then and faith that God will do so.
That doesn't mean that we don't have practical responsibility in the matter, for we are told, "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23
Because I work and live in the "real world" just like you all do, I encounter people and situations that can negatively impact the condition of my heart. If I let these things take root in my heart, I create a stronghold for Satan.
I'd like to end with a prayer for myself, my family, and my friends - Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrew 10:22
1 comment:
You're not alone. I try not to fret because God knows my heart. I can't hide it. He understands my heart more than I do, the good and the bad. He is in my heart and I know he is in your's. And He loves us. That's what matters. Susan G
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