I am reading the book ‘Waking the Dead’… by John Eldredge.
It is extremely thought provoking and I highly recommend it.
He says: “When you tell a story you speak to the heart”, which was a validation for me.
Since I began to write the intention of this blog was always to not just share or write but to challenge and provoke thought for those who are reading it. It has been the vision that the Lord has pressed upon my ‘heart’ to be authentic and real and in that process challenge others on the same path for spiritual maturity.
Speaking of heart… John says: “Without the burning in our hearts we lose the meaning of our days.”
In 2 Corinthians 4:18 it says: ‘So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but what is unseen.’
Our eyes are to be focused on spiritual things.
The problem we face is a war for our burning heart conditions.
We can’t see clearly if our heart is not right.
John said there is a war against our hearts.
It is powerful and ongoing for the enemy does not want us to see clearly the war surrounding us and he does not want us to know about the battle or the efforts against us every day.
John says: “Gods intention for us is life so you must fight for your life.”
He says we are to join in the spiritual battle and fight for the life that is before us.
John says : “We don’t see clearly because we don’t see with the eyes of our hearts.”
Without seeing with the eyes of our hearts, we miss what is important.
In Ephesians 1:18 it says: ‘I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.’
So it is an intentional process of focusing and keeping our eyes clear with clear vision.
The eyes of our hearts can become cloudy and blurry just as our eyes condition can become blurred. Like glaucoma of the soul we can lose sight of what is burning in our hearts.
The deep longing to be in relationship with a Holy God and to be in relationship with a Holy Spirit and a Holy Savior.
Have you ever had a professional eye exam? Can you remember the feeling when they do the check for glaucoma? How you have to steady your head on that chin rest then wait for them to blow that puff of air in your eyes? It is uncomfortable and you really take notice for it is strange and weird experience and a bit scary.
Perhaps it is a time for a puff of air into our hearts so we can see and feel the purpose that is before us.
God created us to be in relationship…
we were the ones who moved from that purpose.
In 2 Chronicles 16:9: ‘For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.’
Can you imagine with me how He searches… and seeks us out so that He can strengthen us.
Just as it is our desire to encourage and strengthen our loved ones or friends, it is God’s desire to strengthen us.
That is relationship and a powerful reminder for us of His love.
My challenge:
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’ Deuteronomy 6:5
I challenge us all today to love with intention.
