The Matrix of the Heart

I was thinking today (not an unusual pastime for me) that there are so many songs out there that talk about putting up walls around our hearts and protecting ourselves from more heartache that, oftentimes, that becomes part of our way of thinking even as Christians. Don't let yourself get walked on or hurt again. Be strong and smart, etc.

It struck me (and by that I mean, the Holy Spirit taught me something) that God, who is hurt and slandered and betrayed and scorned constantly by the ones He loves the most, continues to reach out, give of Himself and offer His affections in the very same manner. Now, that's not so impressive, I guess. He's God, right? We're just humans.

Well, I think He can do that because He doesn't depend on anyone else for His image, His confidence, His security. He knows exactly Who He is and He's not concerned that what someone thinks or says about Him will change that. Now, we know from His Word that He can be grieved and saddened, but that doesn't stop Him from giving to us.

Yes, we are "just" human, but that's why Christ died for us... to give us abilities that we can't expect to have by depending just on our human condition and sinful nature. Guess what? If we know who we are in Christ, we have the fortitude (and the calling, by the way) to keep loving and reaching out to people that have hurt us. We can have the ultimate confidence in Whose we are and Who holds our hearts in His safekeeping. Why should we worry about or image, our pride, our soulish selves?

I'm not trying to sound insensitive. I'm not saying I can actually accomplish this. I just caught a glimpse of what might be possible if we were to fully embrace Christ's gift and purpose for us. I'm not saying to be unwise. Don't get physically hurt. Don't put your life at risk.. unless the Holy Spirit leads you to. Oh, to be so close to the Spirit that we knew HIS wisdom instead of depending only on common sense and worldly advice. What makes sense to the world doesn't cut it in God's Kingdom and those who follow Him should look like fools to the world.

It's like the Matrix out there. Everyone in the Matrix follows the rules of their computer coded world. Laws of gravity, time etc. But those "delivered" from the Matrix and with knowledge of the deception do not abide by those rules and even make decisions that look unwise to those still inside and unaware.

Let's get risky with our hearts. Because really, there's no risk at all if they already belong to the One Who made them.