I Heart ____

The heart is one of the most fascinating organs in the body.  I’ve had friends who have heart issues and I’m always amazed when I hear everything their doctor’s are exploring and testing.  The heartbeat is one of the key sounds us humans tune into.  I couldn’t wait to hear our daughter’s heartbeat at each doctor appointment, I can feel my own when I run or exert myself and when I’m cuddled up with my husband, his steady beat usually lulls me into relaxation. 

When we talk about the heart, it usually has some connection to the things we love, the things we dislike, our passions, our desires.  If I write a note to my daughter, I sign it with a drawing of a heart and my name.  It is a gauge for our health, vitality and emotions. 

Yet, it’s one of the most protected organs in the body.  The ribs wrap a strong web around the heart (and other vital organs) to encase it in a shell made of bone.  Those bones are hard to break.  If you or someone you know has had open heart surgery, you perhaps understand how significant it is to even get to the heart, let alone work on it.

In my own life, I’m starting to see some parallel to how the heart is positioned in the body to what the Bible says about the heart. 

Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?”

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Proverbs 34:18 - Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.

Why does it talk about the heart being what God is weighing or discerning?  Many people, after a few moments of conversation will tell you where their heart is.  In a few short moments you’ll know that my heart loves my family.  Yet, it is set apart as being weighed and discerned. 

I realize that the heart houses our intentions.  What we are shown as our “heart’s desire” isn’t really what’s enclosed.  It’s simply the beat we can feel in our wrist or neck.  It’s not what is deep inside, protected and hard to get to.  I’ve recently been down a hard road to learn that what I see as someone’s heart isn’t really what is in their heart.  I’ve discovered that in their heart is hatred, bitterness, jealousy, resentfulness, anger, revenge.  I’ve been distracted by the outside rather than looking to the inside.

When God searches my heart, my absolute desire is that He sees Himself.  Despite all the outside, when He breaks through the bone, He sees my heart’s desire is to serve and follow Him. 

When we break through the bone, what is in your heart?