021208

February 12, 2008

Don't Harden Your Heart

by Shana Schutte

Just moments before my grandfather passed away several years ago, my sister and I stood at the end of his hospital bed holding hands. During Grandpa's last moments, I marveled at life and death and the God of both. I had never witnessed something so painful as watching a loved one pass into glory, but it was also a moment of great thanksgiving. I thanked God that Grandpa came to know Christ just a few short years before, that Grandma always loved Grandpa--and I thanked God that my heart hurt.

I was in awe that I could ache like I did, and I was glad. Why? Because my pain meant there was life in my soul and that I wasn't just breathing in and out. It also showed that I had the capacity to love. I have felt the alternative, hardness of heart, and I wondered sometimes if I was dead or alive, but I always knew I wasn't free. Hardness of heart steals emotion that gives live depth. It causes numbness which makes it impossible to feel pain, joy or to love deeply. In short, hardness of heart robs life.

In Hebrews 3:7-4:7 God's command not to harden one's heart is given three times. If you are a parent, you know that the commands you give the most often are repeated for emphasis, warning and to encourage obedience. "Don't harden your heart. Don't harden your heart. Don't harden your heart." You'd think God wants us to get the point!

Sometimes we can harden our hearts out of sheer rebellion and other times because we've been wounded, and we think that hardening will protect us from more emotional pain. Either way, God doesn't want us to harden our hearts toward Him or others because our relationship with Him is hindered. And, we are His greatest desire.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:8)

www.runtogodministries.org

run to god

m i n i s t r i e s

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me because

he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted."

---Jesus

a daily reflection