Open Heart – part two
Last week I shared with you about the hospitality that is in the heart of God, about having an open heart to embrace opportunities to bless others. Today I want to flip us around to the other side of that equation and talk about God’s desire to enter into our hearts and have His way there.
“Behold I stand at the door and knock,” He says. “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) Imagine having Jesus as a guest in your home. What might that be like? Would you be so aware of the layer of dust on your coffee table that you would have a hard time relaxing? Would the love in His countenance make all the surroundings fade away? Would you feel like a host, or would you feel that He had come as the true owner of your soul and therefore He would be the Host and you the guest in His presence?
My own experiences of His presence with me have often included all of the above in swift succession. I start out suddenly seeing things the way they really are: dust and dirt everywhere. Then His look moves me from embarrassment to acceptance. I agree with Him about the way He sees things, and I relax into His warm embrace of love and mercy and somehow believe that He will make things right in me. And He does. He redecorates my heart.
He comes bearing gifts, and He has ideas about what He wants to do to transform things. I have two things to do: I have to open the door and let Him in, and I have to receive all that He says and does. Believing Him requires receiving from Him. “…for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) We respond to the unconditional love of God by unconditionally receiving from Him. What greater love can there be than that we receive entirely, with our whole selves, the entirety of all that He gives, this One Who gave Himself for us?
Lord, God Almighty…oh the wonder! The mystery of your intimacy and your desire toward me is overwhelming. I want to be overwhelmed and to let go and receive…receive you entirely…take you in. What would this mean for me? What fruit will be born in me? I know not but that it would be good and perfect. Was this what Mary felt when she was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and Jesus was conceived in her? What word would you say to me? I am still…I am listening…I am open…I am at rest. Have your way in me.
Let me have your heart and strengthen my will to believe and so be penetrated and become that which you’ve called me to. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, my Lord and my God. Fill my mouth with good things to say and to proclaim. Fill my heart with good motives of devotion. Cause my will to be perfectly aligned with Yours – that none should perish but would have everlasting LIFE! In Jesus’ name, amen.
As you listen to this song by Housefires, let it be the cry of your own heart. Invite Him in to have His way with you and know the intimacy of His thoughts toward you.
Until next week, dear one, open the door of your heart and let the King of Glory come in.