Something For Sunday
By: Felicia LaSharrel Moore
I want your heart.” Four words possessing so much power and depth can change your life forever. Imagine meeting someone you’ve come to love and appreciate everything they offer. You love how they always care about you and you’re always on their mind. Their world is filled with purpose and intention because you’re in it. They are strong and caring at the same time. They have that rare ability to hear AND listen when you speak. Just being in their presence makes you smile from ear to ear. It sure is a good feeling- almost seems unreal. What does it mean when someone asks for your heart?
What does it mean when Jesus says He wants your heart? We are sinful beings, yes, even you. We rebel against God when we shortchange Him when we slack in bible study, in our prayer life, ignoring His will and purpose for us. We might be nice and fairly decent people, but our hearts may contain cracks and a little darkness. Actions we choose come from the heart. Although the bible is clear and gives us direction, we often lean on our own understandings to determine what is right or wrong. When we have thoughts against our neighbor who did us wrong, or someone gets on our nerves, that reveals the condition of our hearts. Is this a habitable atmosphere for God to take up residence in? Can Jesus abide comfortably without having to compete with all the extras we cannot or will not let go of?
The heart is an extremely vulnerable sanctuary, containing intimate and precious parts that make us who we are; we justcan’t give it to anyone at random. Someone who handles our heart realizes it must be protected as if it were theirs. That person should not be selfish or condemning, but instead, beloving and understanding. They want the absolute best for us, coming and going, to be the epitome of trust. Prayers for our husbands, wives, children, family, and friends are born out of the heart; our enemies should be there as well. When Jesus asked me for my heart years ago, I wanted Him to have it, but I wasn’t ready to let Him have all of it. There were parts I still wanted to hang onto, as if I couldn’t trust Him with it all. Most of us feel that way; we know the right answer is to let Him have it all, but straddle the fence. So, I decided to seek His face even more by getting into The Word and developing a deeper relationship with Him. You see, the better I knew Him, the more of my heart He got. I opted to move the junk out of the way so He could take up more residence. It surely didn’t happen all at once; in fact, it’s a daily decision.
How did I invite Jesus into my heart? First, I gave, and still give, our Abba Father many thanks and praises. God inhabits the praises of His people. I thank God for His son, Jesus, who gave me His heart when He laid down His life for me. Can you imagine someone taking on Him, all that pain and suffering just for love? That is pure love, y’all. There will never, ever be anyone else who loves like Jesus. I have not had the pleasure of meeting my soulmate; it is not written that I ever will. However, you can bet your last money, his heart must belong to God before ever coming for mine. The heart is where we should find the fruits of The Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness, goodness, and self-control. None of these can be attainable or sustained without The Spirit taking up residence.
When someone special tells you they want your heart, you become excited and unsure about the journey. It’s not just a feeling. You’re about to experience something that words may be unable to explain. There’s the comfort in knowing you can rest in the hands of the ultimate Protector; this kind of love would die for your heart. That kind of love did indeed die for your heart. The Word of God embodies power beyond measure; the more we eat it, the more it magnifies.
“The Word of God embodies power beyond measure; the more we eat it, the more it magnifies.”
The heart circulates blood throughout our whole being, keeping us alive and well. It provides the oxygen needed for functionality. It gives us substance and essentials for living. The heart also filters what’s not good for the body, removing its toxins so goodness can continue to flow. The heart wants what’s best for the entire body. No wonder Jesus wants to live there. And like any gentle Spirit, He doesn’t move in unless you want Him there. No forcing, no bogarting. But once He’s in there, you won’t want to share your heart with anything else.
Be blessed,
