“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” – Pascal

     According to Romans it is with the heart that a person believes.  For those who choose to turn from God, the heart is treacherous.  It is a dark filled cavern with only worm made holes.  For it is with the heart, for those who believe, a once vacant hole, that is now filled with the amazing hope and love of God!  I know this wholeness.  Its peace can calm unreasonable fear and stifle judgement and harsh response.  It can create in me a burning hope and assurance of a Creator Who loves us enough to NEVER leave us.  He is NEVER changing, EVER present if we call on Him.  FOREVER ours if we believe with our whole hearts.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, – Mark 7:21  NASB

for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. – Romans 10:10 NASB

     I love the quote by Pascal.  Our pastor used it in his sermon this Sunday.  It made me think of the condition of the human heart and what it feels like to truly love God.  I’m far from perfect and thought of myself as a Christian before I truly loved Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Now I can be filled with such amazing love that I cry, feel lifted to a high I cannot describe and generally become somewhat overwhelmed by.  Forgive me for not having more eloquence.  I’m simply moved out of my shoes!  I now know that that love supersedes all others.  It is with this profound and beautiful love, Agape love, that I can love anyone.  I can love the criminal, the racist, the haters who strike out and yes, even the bad drivers.  I love the loveless.  I love with intensity and a power not my own.

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. – Psalms 19:8  NASB

Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. – Psalms 105:3  NASB

     Why, or better yet how, can I love like this?  Because I now know the condition of my broken self and what God did to forgive me.  He gave me mercy and grace (undeserved favor).  He sent to ALL of us His Son!  He told me that He is not partial and that He loves us even in our broken state by cursing His own Son with death on a cross.    A death that covers our sins.  I know God.  I know what this cost Him.  He came in the flesh through Jesus Christ so He could reach out to man.  So He could reach our very cold, stone hearts.  Read what He says about our hearts!

And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them.  And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, – Ezekiel 11:19  NASB

     Hallelujah!  God will give us a NEW HEART to know HIM.  I’m elated to know His forgiveness will reign.  He keeps His word.  There is hope for stone hearts.  But why wait?  Why not share the glory of His love now?  Its what the world unknowingly cries for in equality, justice and humanity.  It’s what we all had placed in us at one time.  This yearning for something that completes us!  We can deny it or pick up the cross.  Open your heart and let in the light.   

As in the water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man. – Proverbs 27:19  NASB