Heart Recovery

October 28, 2011

HEART RECOVERY

I Corinthians 4

 

One of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible is the 4^th Chapter of Corinthians. Lately I’ve been spending much of my personal meditations in the realities of this most honest description of the Christian experience. This is the chapter for those of us who feel as though we can never quite get it all together.  It is for those of us who at the end of the day feel as though we have more questions than answers and for those who do not understand why in our hearts we feel such confusion and sadness when we know deep down God truly is in control.  In this letter to a church of Christians that are confused, the Apostle Paul faces the reality that much of the time life is hard and often does not make sense, but we must not lose heart!

But how do we not lose heart when circumstances seem to be so disconnecting? Let me suggest some things God has given to help me: (1) Remember my purpose in this world, (2) understand I am weak but He is strong, (3) this world is not my home.

REMEMBER MY PURPOSE

Paul, in the very beginning of this part of the letter, gives the primary cure to recover from a disconnected heart.  The cure is to remember that your purpose in this world is to minister. I know that this is not exactly what we want to hear, but it is our purpose in this world never the less. Paul says “since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” What exactly does the word of God mean by “ministry?” Earlier in this letter Paul tells us we have the ministry of living out the gospel before the world and that this gospel consists of reflecting the glory of being the image bearers of Jesus as we are being transformed into His likeness.  I know for many, an ongoing struggle is the internal striving to understand if their life has any kind of weight or meaning as they seemingly meander day to day. For many this question and others similar to it leave people with a sense of regret and disappointment with themselves as though they’ve missed out or missed the mark.  However, the truth for the Christian is; even your apparent wondering has great purpose and weight by displaying the glory of Christ! How can this be? Because, our purpose is not to leave our footprint, but to minister for Christ so that He leaves His footprint on our world through us.

UNDERSTAND I AM WEAK BUT HE IS STRONG  

When we remember what our purpose is “to minister” the first thought that comes to my mind is “I’m not sure I have what it takes to live that way.” The Lord recognizes where I am weak better than I do and He instructed Paul to put these words in His letter; “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all –surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Man, that takes the pressure off!  We don’t have to be discouraged in our hearts because God has specifically chosen us because we are weak. I’m not so sure that’s a compliment, probably not, but it is a confidence from God to us! For us to recognize our weaknesses is the only way for us to experience the power of God in our lives, and this experience of power is the only way for us to know our greatest significance in this life which is intimate dependency on God in relationship. Life is hard, and this letter recognizes the challenge of keeping our hearts from discouragement. The Bible says we are hard pressed but not crushed, confused but we don’t give up; we may feel hated but we’re never without God, we fall down but by God’s power we get back up! How? Because God’s power is at work in us through our weakness!

THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME

Every once in a while when I’m really paying attention I notice a longing deep inside me that can’t seem to be satisfied.  As hard as I’ve tried and as many artificial ways that I’ve sought to satisfy this longing for something better, something more pure, I can’t seem to get the antidote for it. I know everyone feels this way, both believer and unbeliever alike, but we so diligently avoid this feeling by staying filled with busyness and noise. We cover this truth of home sickness by trying so hard to rebuild the Garden of Eden. Both in our hearts and in a tangible way, we build cities filled with all sorts of conveniences and entertainment, places of fantasies and costume.  We exchange our fig leaves for Armani and Porsche, neither of which can remove them from the oncoming decay they are doomed for.  We do all of this is in the name of rest and commerce, yet we never stop to think what is driving us to create it. 

Noise, whether audible or material is the number one cover up of our heart beat for home.  It distracts us from our real destination; dwelling with Jesus in His city.  In Paul’s letter to the discouraged hearts inCorinth, God tells them and us to not lose heart even though things appear really messed up, but there is meaning for us and we are heading for home. So we keep connecting our hearts towards Jesus and home and find strength for the day that will never end!

 

Be Encouraged!

Pastor Brad