Big-Hearted

As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man. Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man. The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise. Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him. (Proverbs 27:19-22 ESV).

 

The cheetah is known for its speed. In fact, they have been measured to reach bursts of 60 mph while chasing prey. However, their method in hunting does not rely on speed as much as stealth. Since their speed is limited to short sprints, they will typically use the tall grass and brush of the savannahs to crouch low and approach their prey to break into the sprint for a quick and efficient kill. The reason this magnificent animal has evolved to this point is the reality of its small heart. Because of its small heart they simply do not have the endurance to maintain such a speed for a long distance. Unlike most of their prey, they cannot run as fast for the longer distances.

 

The Christian’s life of obedience calls for endurance. It cannot afford the “heart condition” of a small heart, possibly engaging only in a spurt now and then. Our reading today is a part of a larger context that emphasizes this truth. Our lives are a reflection of our heart.

 

Talking about someone’s “heart condition” and how it shows in their life, one might ask, “How big-hearted is he?” or “Does she have the heart for it?” A physical heart condition may prevent someone from strenuous activity, but a spiritual heart condition is more dangerous. For example, if we have a heart condition that makes us miserly, we are not apt to share from the abundance we have been given. On the other hand, a heart condition that leads to sharing the joy of Jesus, who lives in our hearts, gives us the stamina for a life of faithful obedience.

 

I find it much easier to endure the circumstances of life when things are going well. The emotional fatigue that sets in as a result of long-term difficulty is the biggest challenge for many believers. Our solution is not a “mountain-top experience.” It is the steady persistence of focusing our mind on the grace of God. The Apostle Paul helps us with that as he instructs us to have “the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). This allows us to be filled with his unconditional love. It grows us to be “big-hearted”! What kind of heart do you have?