Open Wide Your Heart

I really do not have time to write on my blog today, but writing is important and so is the blogging community in which I belong. Over the last few month’s I have been slowly going through Henri Nouwen’s book, Home Tonight, this book is a guide to finding our spiritual home in Christ.

In the third chapter, a quote from Oriah’s book, The Invitation, inspired me to write. Her genre or label is under spiritual teachings, which could mean anything that goes (new age), but from a Christian view point her poem touched my heart and has lead me into deep reflection of what I ache for in my life.

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
Oriah

I have the same convictions in my daily life when I am around people. I long to hear what they are passionate about, what they long for in their life, and what core ache goes unmet. When I am visiting my friends who are retired the topic of what they did for a living rarely enters the conversation. When I talk with people from my own generation usually the first thing that is asked in conversation is what do I do for a living, I cringe every time. What we do for living is not who we are at the core of our being.

My own ache is to know Jesus more intimately, to know the impulses of His love to the core of my soul. I desire to love like He loved, and to follow closely in his ways. Another longing I have is to communicate well God’s love through the written word, and speaking. Out of my ache comes forth what I do for a living.

What are you passionate about? What ache goes unmet in your life? What are you doing right now in your life to fulfilling the ache in your heart? Are you following what the Holy Spirit is saying to Your heart?

In closing, today I was reading from 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, it is worth reading through from the beginning to the end. Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians that now is the time of God’s favor and help, and all the hardships he had endured and blessings he embraced. What stood out is in verses 11-13, concerning how Paul spoke to the Corinthians about their hard and closed hearts towards the gospel message and God's love.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Are you willing to open wide your heart to what God desires for your life?

I have titled the above picture "Dreamer." The picture was take at the Butchart Gardens, Victora, BC. The bronze horse is named Annabelle, she greets all who will enter the new Children's Pavilion, read more on the Butchart Garden website. This garden was not open when I was there, but Annabelle brings out the child-like dreamer within me.