HEART DIET
The title of this blog might be confusing – but stick with me, and hopefully this will give you some good food for thought! We are living in crazy times; the world as we know it has been turned upside down. Despite the amount of suffering all around us, it has given us unexpected times to change up some things, create fresh routines or even learn new skills.
A few weeks into lockdown, I decided to take the drastic decision to cut off all my hair completely. My receding hairline was truly running away so it was time to go; I’m now part of the shaved-head crew – and let me tell you, it’s a little chilly!
Together with my wife, we have also learnt some new skills and somehow managed to pull off a gardening masterpiece by carving out a play-area in the back garden, complete with trampoline, swings and a playhouse! Never did I think I could do anything like that, but when in lockdown you suddenly become a builder, a gardener, a painter, a chef, a full-time teacher…
The biggest change for us all is that our world has gone digital. To some, that is a dream come true – to others it’s like a bad dream! Whether we like it or not, in order to stay connected with those around you, technology has become an invaluable resource. But despite its huge merits, it can still become extremely overwhelming! Messages popping up everywhere, phones buzzing, watches pinging, video-calls ringing, news apps pushing us notifications of the latest headlines… it can all feel a little too much at times!
But just stand back for a minute – and consider this. Never before in the history of our world have we had so much amazing resource at our fingertips. At the touch of a button we can gain access to some of the greatest ministry on planet earth to equip us in our walk with God. Just a google-search away and we can find thousands of bible studies, teaching videos, inspiring blogs… the list is endless. But when we’re faced with so much of it, we can easily give up before we’ve started and just switch off altogether.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus explains to his disciples about his use of Parables to communicate his message: “You will indeed hear, but never understand, and you will indeed see, but never really perceive; for this people’s heart have grown dull and with their ears they can barely hear and their eyes have closed..” (Mathew 13: 14-15)
Jesus was referring to people who were sceptics, critics and enemies of God’s message. They heard his words, but refused to really listen to his message. They saw, but didn’t ever really see, the reason being that their hearts had “grown dull” to it all. They had tuned out and switched off.
The word “dull” here can literally be translated fat. Their hearts were ‘fat’ and unhealthy, so they couldn’t delight in Jesus’ words! They were struggling to move, to breathe and take in what Jesus was saying.
Their hearts were out of shape – just “dull”.
They needed a ‘heart-diet’, a healthier response to the words of Jesus. Their hearts were the problem, affecting what they both heard and saw.
What’s your heart like today? God has so much to speak to you in this season. Don’t be overwhelmed with the feast on offer – enjoy the chance to get your teeth in! Maybe it’s time to go on a heart-diet, to shed the fat so your heart doesn’t become dull to what God is saying.
Commit to reading through something this week, or starting an online course, or studying together with friends – but approach it with a heart that is healthy, sharp, open to listen, quick to respond.
There’s so much resource out there, we really have no excuse. Make some room for God to feast with you this week. Don’t let your heart grow fatty. Get on a diet and go into training!
If you want any recommendations, or have any recommendations, post your comment below or on social media. It would be great to hear from you.
Praying for you church!
