Am I open or closed?
by Faye Schmidt
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So, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts’ (Hebrews 3:7,8a).
Read Hebrews 3:1–11
‘Don’t tell me; I just don’t want to hear it!’ How often have we heard this said to us, or have we ourselves said it? The minute someone wants to tell us something important to them, we often want to shy away, and run as far as we can, because once we hear it, we cannot undo it, and it may impact and change us.
Such knowledge may require us to get involved, help out and give some of our time on activities we hadn’t planned. Or to contribute some money to a cause unknown to us.
When God speaks to us, the temptation to block out his voice can be strong. Knowing about God and his plan for my salvation is one thing, but actually having to ‘hear his voice’ speaking directly to me, engaging with me and requiring something of me is a different matter.
When we speak of our hearts, we speak of what we love. We love from the heart. To ‘harden your heart’ is to deny and reject love.
God wants to come into our being so that we may ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’. There is much he wants to tell us about his plan for our lives and eternity with him.
When we hear his voice, it is an invitation. The wonder is that God doesn’t stop loving us even though we harden ourselves against such love. Because accepting God’s love and grace requires us to respond – to give thanks, serve, worship and have a relationship with him through word and sacrament.
So, the next time you hear his voice – let him in.
Dear Lord, send your Holy Spirit to me so that I may receive you with joy and thanksgiving as you lead me to know Christ, my Saviour. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Victoria–Tasmania District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer. She has a heart for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
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