This amazing shot was taken five years ago of my open-hearted friend, Jason Neland, in the Smoky Mountains overlooking Clingmans Dome near the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. Wow!
Good morning everyone!
In my update last week, I shared a quick synopsis of a plan I want to follow in January of 2025 to raise my level of obedience to the Word of God, and I invited you to join me. Today I want to share how we can get our hearts ready for that process.
Closed Heart vs. Opened Heart
This was a big part of my problem that I mentioned to you in my Thanksgiving confessional a couple of weeks ago. For most of last year, there was a part of my soul that I didn’t want to think about. I was open to God in many areas, but in one particular place where I felt shameful, I didn’t want to even consider it. Yet, when God’s grace crashed in on me, I felt that I couldn’t do anything but open up, knowing that God loves me even in the middle of my shame.
As I think about it now, there were five things that happened to me when I opened up to God. Here’s the process that we can go through when we want to be intentional about having our hearts open. Note that this applies to any area where we need spiritual traction.
I opened up by disarming.
In my soul I had a shield of protection I was holding up to protect myself from my shame. When God’s grace overwhelmed me, I dropped my shield and realized I didn’t need to protect myself from such a gracious God who had overridden my shame and blessed me beyond belief.
I listened to Jesus.
After I opened up and realized where I was protecting myself, I slowed down to listen to Jesus and what He thought about me.
I talked to Jesus directly about it.
I ventured in to reveal my struggle with shame.
I trusted Jesus.
I surrendered my control and aligned myself to whatever Jesus wanted to do with me and this area where I was stuck.
I obeyed Jesus.
In this case I felt that Jesus wanted me to share about my shame with some trusted friends. In the very area that I wanted to keep under wraps, I trusted Jesus to do something good with it when I relayed my story with others.
Let’s Take An Inventory of Our Hearts
I want to continue to monitor my heart, knowing that I can easily have other places where I might be holding back. Maybe you feel the same way. Wouldn’t it be great for all of us to have open hearts and souls ready for a fresh start with Jesus this year?
An Invitation to An Experiment in January
If you are interested in joining me and others in our January experiment, I’d like you to register to get in on our M.A.P.S. plan that we described last week.
Let’s Do This!
I’m getting excited as we get closer to doing this together. As always, I love hearing from you, so keep those cards and letters coming!
Love y'all!
Steve
PS…Stay tuned for the next update where we’ll share how to make “S.M.A.R.T.” commitments to God’s directions.
PSS…If you are wanting to get a final end of year gift to us, remember that anything postmarked by December 31st counts towards 2024 giving.
You can give through the link below, or checks can be sent to:
Daybreak International, 11628 Oakmont St., Overland Park, KS 66210