For the sake of the Story
Monday, May 18, 2009 at 12:27PM Since all the world is but a story,
it were well for thee to buy
the more enduring story rather than
the story that is less enduring.
(The Judgement of St. Columba of Scotland)
Here's another reason it's critical to get your heart back -- your good and noble heart: your contribution to the Grand Tale depends upon it. If you see yourself primarily as a mess -- a sinful and sorry creature whom God has to graciously tolerate -- you won't be offering your true self. And your true self is exactly what is needed.
You need the resources of your transformed heart to love well, live well, and fight well. Jesus has given you his own heart -- not a heart simply like his -- but his own heart. For the sake of the Story, take it. Nourish it. Live from it. Allow God's Spirit to awaken it.
Since this unfolding Story is about the God who is always up to something new, he will choose the new creation -- that is, your transformed heart -- as the means to advance his plot.
Without either knowing your heart is now good, or choosing it today and each day, you will remain disoriented and disconnected -- to both your grand and unveiled glory, and to the world's need for you to live from your restored and super-natural heart. Allow this new super-natural goodness to radiate outwards, transforming you with the ever-increasing life and enticing goodness Jesus enjoyed.
The Story needs you. Not simply the forgiven you. But the unveiled you.
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s
glory, are being transformed into his likeness with
ever-increasing glory; which comes from the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Reader Comments (2)
"Jesus has given you his own heart -- not a heart simply like his -- but his own heart."
That's a truth that the church needs to know and believe. Great post, Jim.
Thanks, Aida. You're right: Jesus never offers anything other than himself.