Tag Archives: heart

Quietly

The wisdom spoken through Solomon, Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless, the poor man’s wisdom is despised; And his words are not heard. Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard (Ecclesiastes 9:16-17a). This stirred my heart to consider all the quiet areas of our lives. The things we think and feel, the emotions experienced from deep within, the unspoken doubts and victories, the observances we witness that leave a mark, the pauses after we read something profound, the gasp for air when at the edge of unbelief or utter gratitude. Somewhere in those moments we find ourselves changing and learning. O Lord You have searched me and known me…You are acquainted with all my ways (Psalm 139: 1, 3b), nothing about us is unknown to God, so He knows how to speak to each of us. So, it is unfortunate when we only share the so-called big, visual and interesting moments with people, and not the more minor and intimate moments that impact our spirit and heart; something I often have to remind my own self to do.

What have you learned in those quiet spaces that now you see produced growth and wisdom? Nothing about you, or your experiences are insignificant. Gift that to another, and share the unspoken spaces with others. John, one of the disciples said, Jesus did so much that the world could not contain all that would need to be written on it; and He is still at work in and through us. I believe Jesus spent a lot time with the disciples individually and collectively in the gap of the active moments sharing in the quiet, and demonstrating who He is through every small gesture. God, who is the same yesterday and today, is still reaching us in quiet moments. When we weep and when we walk what He says to us has worth. Reflect on them, for we grow in those moments. Then when you come out of the quiet let the wisdom of Christ in your life be shared.

I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me (John 17:23 NKJV).  

Enlarge My Heart

Such a simple but powerful request, “enlarge my heart.” Three words joined together in Psalm 119 (vs 32b). There are many things I am sure anyone of us could recall with quickness that are commonly asked for and requested throughout the day. Even in our quiet thoughts there are request and desires chattering around our minds. Though what an awesome prayer to ask for a bigger heart, filled with the heart of Christ and the passion of His Spirit. There are no perfect human ambitions or deeds, and we are all definitely far from being a perfect model of rightness. But praises there is a perfect love, there is a perfect heart. Not found in us, but found in Jesus, found in God the Father in who we have access.

Imagine the possibility of global peace if everyone asked for an enlarged heart? A heart with compassion for the weak, concern for the suffering, longing for the lonely, passion for the lost, eager toward serving, open to listening, willing to be available, endearing in speech, caring in approach, kind in motive, tender in expression, fond of building others up, craving consideration, loving sacrificially, driven by unity and to desire nothing in return.

“For the love of Christ compels us,” (2 Corinthians 5:14a), to want to be patient and more understanding, to desire to love as Christ has loved. My prayer is that each of you will explore the love of God in your life and reflect on the promises provided through His redeeming love in Christ Jesus. Allow your heart to love for His sake (Lord allow my heart to love more for your sake), for “there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear,” (1 John 4:18a). Through Jesus, love removes condemnation and we get to love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). For that reason let us together seek to be examples of love to those within our environments, fulfilling the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-31) overflowing as we are filled by God, reciting with gladness that it is the Lord whom “satisfies the longing soul,” (Psalm 107:9).

…with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:2-3 NKJV).