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February 25

Open Heart

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  ––John 15:19

So the expression goes, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” The inference, of course, is that we all get taken advantage of sometimes; the key is to wise up and not get scammed the same way—or by the same person—twice. It’s good advice, right? I think so. I mean, who returns to the shady car mechanic, or buys again from the website that ripped you off the first time?

Here’s the problem for God’s men: the entire world is untrustworthy. Jesus told us we do not belong to this world, and Paul underscores this by saying,

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  ––Romans 12:2

Here’s our challenge as God’s men: Understanding the darkness of the world without letting it darken our hearts. How does Jesus suggest we do this? Two incidences come to mind:

  1. Become like little children – we continue to surrender our wounds to Him and approach His throne with humility, like a child. (See Matthew 18:3.)
  2. Keep the end game in mind: He has already overcome the world, therefore we are already victors, and can take heart in our position. (See John 16:33)

Keeping an open heart—a heart and mind that is ready to move and fill needs and speak hopefully to the hurting—is not a mind over matter process. We don’t will our way into a positive attitude. It‘s about remembering who we are and Whose we are.

While we do live in a world filled with evil, we can keep an open heart—ready and willing to move when He shows us where and when to go.

Lord, help me keep an open heart in a closed off, cynical world. I need Your Spirit to keep me from sliding down into the negatives!

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