I got squeezed.
A tight deadline, a book that wasn’t working for me or for itself for that matter and a brief physical alignment found me overwhelmed.
But life wouldn’t stop for stress, or sleepless nights, or menopausal hormones. (What is THAT about?)
So I pressed in… pressed on.
My schedule was tight. No room from crashing and burning.
As I headed to north Florida for a writers retreat, I loaded up on prayer, worship and teachings that inspired me.
God, in His amazing goodness and love met me, touched me, healed me.
“Grace poured out.”
On the way home from the retreat, I loaded up on prayer, worship and teachings again.
One teaching by a man named Allen Hood had me in tears. The good kind.
The kind of tears that make you lean into God.. Yearn for Him.
“I don’t want to live with a dull heart,” Allen said.
Oh Lord, No!
What is the point of living with a dull heart before the amazing, all knowing, ever present God.
Do you realize God is love? I mean, sincerely, He is love.
Yes, He’s mighty and powerful. He’s wisdom.
But the core of HIs essence is love.
1 John 4:8. “…God is love.”
His power, HIs wisdom, everything is motivated by love.
From now through all of eternity He loves us 100%! He will never grow in love because His love is full, complete, even now.
We are the ones who must grow toward Him in love.
So back to a burning heart. Abiding, beholding, going after the Love of God is what will keep our hearts alive.
We are invited into an intimate relationship with the most fascinating person in human history — the God-Man Jesus the Christ.
Why are we bored? Why am I bored? He’s not bored with me. But I dare get dull and bored with Him?
Oh, Jesus, help my weak heart.
His love empowers us in the place of prayer, worship and loving others.
We can’t really love well without Him.
If we truly want to love our neighbor, we have to run into, toward His love and abide there!
God’s love is only limited by our pursuit and desire for Him.
Kind of convicting, isn’t it?
So, I want a burning heart. I want more of Him. To experience His love and joy and peace.
I want to have all I can of Him in this age.
But I know I’m weak. I know I’m going to fail. Thank goodness He never fails.
In the picture above, a wave is crashing over a light house. I want to be the light house in Him.
Yet to be crashed over by His love.
We were made in His image. Therefore we are made to love Him like He loves us.
Wow!
What a divine invitation.
I don’t think we can be too “spiritual” or too “preoccupied” with falling into divine love, you know?
I’m not talking about religious works or earning God’s favor, we can’t do that even if we tried.
He’s already given us His favor!
I’m talking living a life designed to know Him and grow in love.
Less TV. More prayer.
One less meal or two a week and a bit more fasting.
Checking the harsh or sarcastic words for a kinder, gentler answer. Or not saying anything at all.
I mean, is it really all that hard? Seems like it at times.
But I want a burning heart.
No other choice for me.
What about you?
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