As a result, I’m racing against genetics as I train for marathons, eat properly and avoid other behaviors that could contribute to heart problems for me. I’m consciously and constantly in a battle with my physical body for the survival of my heart.
I was beating my body into submission during a long training run this past weekend, and I had time to ponder while pounding the pavement. My mind wandered toward other issues of my heart.
And one of the things I realized was that I take the condition of my physical heart seriously – in fact, as serious as a heart attack. However, I also realized that I’m a bit lax regarding the spiritual health of my heart.
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” (NLT)
This hurtful heart condition is one that we share collectively, but must address individually because there does not appear to be much innate goodness within the innermost spiritual-cardiac confines of our being.
I figure that the only permanent fix for this condition is a heart transplant. Thank God, He’s a surgeon who specializes in that delicate procedure as written about in Ezekiel 36: 25-27,“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” (NLT)
Following the heart transplant there are a few things I need to keep in mind daily – or rather keep in my heart daily. Thank God, He’s given us a regime to keep our new hearts healthy.
- Psalms 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
- Proverbs 3: 1-2, “Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.”
- Proverbs 4: 23, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Thank God, His grace is sufficient.
The only thing I know for certain, is that I need His hand holding my heart each day to keep it beating at His rhythm and pace because apart from Him there is no good thing in me – especially when it involves matters of the heart.
This is awesome! I have a congenital heart condition and that verse from Ezekiel is one of my life's verses! I am constantly thinking about the spiritual as well as the physical well-being of my heart - you said it all very nicely.
ReplyDelete@Cari, thanks so much for your candor and kind words. That type of feedback means a lot!
ReplyDelete@Chris, I always appreciate your comments - they're so supportive. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteWell said! And I cast my vote for this as a shoe-in for the "Top Ten Torcon" list.
ReplyDelete~gbr
Wow, wow, wow. Did I say wow? haha In all seriousness though, thank you. This really hits close to home, and makes so much sense. It is so hard sometimes, to remember these things. It is often the case that we don't know there is a problem until it is getting close to being (if not already) too late. God can and will protect our physical and spiritual heart - but it is so much more than helpful if we remember to ask him for that help help occasionally! (And by occasionally, I mean continuously and daily!)
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the thought provoking reminders. God is at work.
@GBR, thanks bro! How's the packing going? When do you all move? Drop me a line on FB - inquiring minds want to know!!!!
ReplyDelete@Laura, you're so right that we often times let things to until they're at a crisis level before we get in gear and take action. Despite my inaction - his mercy endures!
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