The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter

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“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds,” Jeremiah 17:7, ESV.

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart,”

Proverbs 32:2, ESV.

We now call it “The Coyote Corner.”

My husband was running one morning and came back laughing. Not because he had an extraordinary run, but when he turned the corner at the bottom of our hill, a coyote was squatting in the street, unable to run away as my husband approached. My husband gave him his space to finish his business and ran on the other side of the street.

As I walked this morning, I saw evidence of many coyotes using our street as their “rest stop.”

At one time I thought it was shameless neighbors who refused to pick up after their pets, but now I see our sidewalks as wide-open wilderness, just step cautiously.

Towards the end of my walk, there was a man walking his dog at the park and the dog was pretending to be a coyote. Using the neighborhood park as his “wilderness.” The man looked over and I glanced with one eyebrow raised, as a social reminder to make sure “that” was cleaned up, for he didn’t look inclined to do so. After all, it’s a kid’s park.

Satisfied with my social shame I looked away. However, God was not satisfied.

He quickly reminded me that social shame doesn’t create lasting obedience. In fact, it creates resentment, anger and pride.

I had been schooled by the Holy Spirit. Humbly I continued to be instructed.

God reminded me that He changes the heart of man—gently and in love. That’s His job to take man’s heart of stone and replace it with flesh.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh,”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36‬:‭26‬, ‭NIV‬‬.

So, beginning with mine, I prayed for a clean heart and a renewal of a right spirit. And that we both would be quick to do the right thing, and by doing so do a good deed.

Social shame is not loving someone like Jesus. Praying that we will all love Jesus more than ourselves is actually a better use of my mental energy.

How are you doing today?

(Feel free to comment. I love reading your thoughts).

Father,

Thank You that Your Spirit is a fantastic teacher, counselor and guide. Thank You for the constant reminders and nudges to do the right thing.

Thank You that 1 John 1:9 applies to all of us, no matter how long we have been walking on Your path of goodness.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬, NIV.

Thank You for Your great love for us, always.

Amen.