Open minds and hearts

‘As for me, the Father chose me and sent me into the world. How, then, can you say that I blaspheme because I said that I am the Son of God? Do not believe me, then, if I am not doing the things my Father wants me to do. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, you should at least believe my deeds, in order that you may know once and for all that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father.’

Once more they tried to seize Jesus, but he slipped out of their hands. (verses 36-39)

Read John 10:19-42

These people don’t believe Jesus and want to kill him for what they consider is blasphemy. It appears that even before they engage Jesus in dialogue they’ve made up their minds about him.

How open are our minds – and hearts – towards God? While we won’t be showing open hostility towards God, it is possible for us to go to church week after week with hearts and minds not fully open and receptive to what the Holy Spirit wants to teach us.

Perhaps the Holy Spirit knows that we need to take a new slant, a different perspective, on a well-known truth. Or have our vision expanded. Or our love rekindled. Maybe we’ve managed to get ourselves into some sort of rut of religiosity from which we need to be extricated.

An open mind will allow the Holy Spirit to lead us deeper and deeper into the riches and wonder of God’s greatness and goodness. Something, surely, too good to miss out on.

God, open my mind and heart to everything that your Spirit wants to give me. Amen.

by Grace Simpson, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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