Tuesday, October 22, 2013

The Beauty of a Heart

A heart is a beautiful thing. It's fragile yet pumps life. It's softened at times, and hardened at times. Hearts mean a lot to me. There were lots of years I didn't value my own heart. Each beat went unrecognized by me, until it was in pain--the unseen, aching, very real pain from something or someone or myself. But after I let Jesus take over my heart, tenderize it, give it a brand new nature, it started to pump His goodness throughout my life, and even the overflow was amazingly Him. 
 
I knew a little about the verse on the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians. I liked the sound of those 9 qualities: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. After the old, stony heart has been replaced with a tender, responsive heart, the amazing journey begins. Fruit begins to develop!
 
For me, I needed peace. It was good to read Scripture where Jesus says: My peace I leave with you, and it's a gift the world cannot give (paraphrased from John 14:27). I began to realize I had all the good things God has promised us...I just needed to begin to walk in them
 
First, it was peace. Once you experience God's peace after living in the world's chaos and drama you will actively pursue it and work to maintain it. Strife can't stay. 
Then, He began to reveal joy to me. For someone who seemed mostly melancholy, pessimistic, deeply analyzing, and self-focused, joy was a very real breath of fresh air. It's as if my personality was even being transformed. 
 
Next, it was LOVE. And He used the heart shape to get my attention. I took some pictures, and have now for months, of the hearts I see in many different places. Some are for a moment--no time for a camera--but I smile and am encouraged nonetheless. It was during those initial "love" moments that God really began to teach me about love--His amazing, unconditional, all-consuming love. His love for me, my love for Him, love for others, and a balanced love for myself. When you get a revelation for yourself of God's amazing love for you, it's when there's really no going back. Jesus defines you. Scripture takes on new meaning for you. Wave after wave of God's grace rolls in. His mercy soaks deep to the core, and you will begin to reflect the change you've experienced and the love you've encountered; the change will be apparent. 
 
I encourage you to embrace the changes God is bringing about in your life. Don't let fear hold you back from God's best for you. If we let the unknown and uncertainties hold us back in life, we won't fully live and thrive--we just survive. Life with God is so much more! This is the most exciting journey, beyond your wildest dreams, when you choose to live by faith. To have hope and be renewed by the living Word of God is so miraculous. Determine to live amazed, remember and be thankful for what you've been through, then LIVE! May your life reflect the love and goodness of our amazing God. He is worth it--life in Him is worth it all--because you have already begun living your eternity!