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A Call Out Of Complacency

"Open the eyes of my heart."

Emily Wood

May 29, 2018

Liberty University

127

Public Domain Pictures

Protecting the heart is paramount. Proverbs 4:23 teaches us to guard our hearts above all else for the heart is the “wellspring of life.”

From the heart flows what is stored inside, for a tree is known by its fruit.

The root of sin stems from the heart. Jeremiah said that “the heart is deceitful and desperately sick.” (17:9)

The world’s problems do not stem from our decisions or our division, but from our hearts. The Church’s problems do not stem from our laws or our leaders, but from our hearts.

To see change in the world, we must start from within ourselves. To see revival in the Church, we must begin on a personal level. Awakening begins from within.

What is the cure to soften our hearts of stone? Jesus.

God made a promise in Ezekiel to, “remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh…” (11:19)

The Bible is alive and powerful, but until the Truth resonates on a personal level, it is mere words on a page. Though its words may sink into our minds, we are unchanged people until they seep into our hearts.

To know Him is to undergo true heart change by the Holy Spirit. Without the working of the Holy Spirit, a change of heart is impossible.Being a Christian is an ever-present process of molding our hearts to become more like His.

If we stifle Him from our hearts, we become people without purpose or passion. A loveless life is not a reflection of Jesus.

The center of Jesus’ message was allowing the Law to transform into love. Jesus said that the commands to love God and to love our neighbor sums up the entire Law and Prophets. These love-based actions begin from within the heart. In order to love as Jesus loved and to live as Jesus lived, He must first take residence within our hearts.

Michael W. Smith penned these words:

“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.

Open the eyes of my heart.

I want to see You.”

May these words be our heart's desire as we pursue Him.

May we never be complacent or comfortable. May we never be stagnant or unmoving. But may we ever be in the pursuit of Him.

*****

Open the eyes of my heart to Your Word. Your Will. Your People. Your World. But most of all, open the eyes of my heart that I may see You and know You more.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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A Call Out Of Complacency

"Open the eyes of my heart."

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Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1. When he just wanted bacon from his George Foreman grill

2. When he had money (and Jan) issues

3. When he got upstaged at Phyllis' wedding

4. When he unintentionally saved Meredith from rabies

5. When he wore a "bisexual" suit

6. When he had to apologize to Jesus

7. When his GPS drove him into a lake

8. When he had to deal with Ryan as his boss

9. When he couldn't fulfill his most generous empty promise

10. When this happened

11. When he struggled with a X-Mas break up

12. When he had to defend his generosity

13. When he threw a classy Christmas party for Holly but she had a boyfriend

14. When he had to stand up to peer pressure

15. When Toby was "Toby-ish"

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

Time to be merry and bright.

"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble

"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift

"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban

"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel

"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta

"Believe" by Josh Groban

"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

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