Finding Your Heart

Jesus replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” - Mark 7:6

Jesus did not have a lot of patience for those who used religious language to make it look like they were doing the right thing but whose hearts were far away from God. Jesus was a lot more interested in connecting with reality. If your heart felt far from God, say so. If you felt angry, say so. If you felt happy with God, say so. It didn’t really matter much to Jesus how you were feeling about God or what you wanted to give to God (or not give to God). What mattered is that the real you showed up.

How are you doing at that these days? Think back to yesterday - maybe replay a few of your more religious moments. How would you say they ranked on the scale of authenticity? The closeness God wants may end up being a wrestling match or a lovers’ embrace or the silence of companions on a long winter walk. All of those are fine options. But anything fake or flashy or self-promoting probably needs to be confessed.