Imagine with me that you are carrying around a fresh, steaming cup of earl grey tea (with a splash of almond milk and vanilla, of course) in your most favorite mug. As you pass through the hallway, someone bumps your arm and a bit of tea splatters out onto the ground. When they ask you what kind of tea you're drinking, you become offended. "It's not tea, I'm drinking orange juice!", you coldly respond, "How dare you assume what's in my cup. You have no idea!" That's ridiculous, right? Its obvious that what splashed out of your mug onto the ground is exactly the beverage you're carrying around with you. It isn't going to magically change its chemical components as it is released from your mug. There is no denying it. What's inside is going to come out. When it does, it's just a glimpse of what remains is inside. Or how about this, one day you start to feel run down. You're exhausted, start to run a low fever, have a slight twinge of dizziness, and all of the sudden are unable to taste or smell anything. We all know what that means, right? #PandemicLife So, you put on a sweater and go about your day as normal. Wait, what? I mean, you were cold because of the fever, so you have a sweater and are good to go. *Eyebrow raise* But is the issue the fever? Is the real problem your exhaustion? Of course not, they are just symptoms of the illness. The lack of taste or smell signals a greater concern. One that if not handled properly could lead to huge issues for yourself, and could hurt everyone around you because, treating the symptoms won't remove the real illness. I remember when I was young we lived in the country. Most people didn't care to lock their doors or shut their blinds because they lived in the middle of nowhere. So you'd drive by late at night, and could see them making dinner or sitting in the living room watching television. An unintentional glance would tell you their exact plans for the evening. What you saw was exactly what was going on inside. They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul, but truly your actions are the windows to your heart. They may not be able to provide the whole picture, but they offer glimpses inside. Quick glances of what is going on in your heart. Some choose not to look. They see an image they don't like, look the other way, and pretend it isn't there. They refuse to look into the deeper issue because they want to deny it exists. They would rather ignore the heart of the problem. Those glimpses... It is not the words you said to that peer. It is not the way you flirt instead of paying attention to the message. It is not the way you displayed your anger. It is not the clothes you chose to wear. It is not the relationship you are choosing to be in. It is not the music you are currently listening to. It is not the images you are placing in front of your eyes. It is not the lie you told. It is not the arrogance you carry. It is not the language you choose to use. It is not the sharp words you threw at them. It is not the gossip you shared with your friend. It is not the services you have missed. It is not the messages you have ignored. It is not the things you chose to smoke, drink, or ingest. It is not the rebellion you have acquired. It is not the attitude you wear. Oh do those things matter? A B S O L U T E L Y ! None of it is good, but they are not the real problem. The attitude, the language, the relationship, the friends, the clothing, the music, the addictions, the apathy... they are just the physical manifestation of what has been going on in the heart for a long time. Because, we could take away the friendships, cut off ties to relationships, burn clothing, set them in a pew every service, remove the freedom, and demand apologies to all their peers. But if the heart remains the same, it'll come back full circle soon, or worse. If the heart remains the same, it will find new ways to rebel and blend in with the world. "You cannot make men good by law" is one of my new favorite quotes by C.S. Lewis. Because the Christian life is much more than outward conformity. It is growing in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a molding of our heart and will to God's heart. I have seen so many run from all they have been taught because to them it has been just a show; A list of to-do's; A set of guidelines to be accepted by others. While a heart response never took place. So sure, those actions do matter but, they are just symptoms of the real issue. Your heart. It is your motive. It is why you are trying to do it. It is why you will continue to do it. It is why someone else in the same situation could handle it differently. Because, It is not that thing, but your heart toward it. It is not the action or words specifically, but your motive and attitude- your heart - behind it. How is your heart? Actions speak louder than words. What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say. - RWE Our behavior reveals our beliefs. You may even be able to fool so many people with your life, but you will never be able to twist your sin or motives enough to be approved and overlooked by God. He knows your heart. "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16.7) The fruit your life produces is evidence to what kind of tree you are. "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things." (Matthew 12.33-35) "...those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart..." (Matthew 15.18) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance..." (Galatians 5.22-23) This post is delayed because my heart is so heavy with faces. Faces of those who are walking dangerous paths. Faces of those who chose to be blind to their sin. Faces of those who, when confronted, become angry and defensive rather than seeing the issue. Faces of those who just ignore the issue all together. Whether those are from my childhood, college years, or present. However I never desire my emotion or passion to overtake Truth that is found here and at times that means I need to not speak. Now that I have articulated my thoughts into words, I hope that you understand my heart in it all. So, how is your heart? What glimpses are others seeing that you are pulling the curtains on? What are you treating the symptoms on that you need to be treating the heart? What sin are you denying exists when it is overflowing from your heart? How. Is. Your. Heart?
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
Motherhood. Ministry. Missions. Archives
January 2023
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