Receptivity

“Keep your heart open and remember whose you are.” —Anonymous 

Years ago, I heard the phrase, “keep your heart open and remember whose you are.” These words have surfaced at the forefront of my mind as I ponder what an open and vulnerable heart might look and feel like. 

Jesus and I find a resting spot in the desert. We have been walking for weeks; it seems an appropriate time to rest. We sit down in the sand and lean against the base of a large dusty cliff.

The heart

I am contemplating the posture of my heart. Is it one that naturally remains open, or does it have the propensity to be cautious, aloof, or closed? I consider Jesus’ heart open, full of love, compassion, and mercy. I want a heart like His that is open, gives, and receives; but life can cause pain, and pain can grow a hardened heart.

When my heart is wounded, I may respond by closing my heart to further injury. For instance, if emotionally hurt by harmful words, I may close my heart to feelings and emotions; if rejected or abandoned, I may close my heart to deep and meaningful relationships; if I experience betrayal, my once-trusting heart may choose not to trust anymore. 

I wonder about my heart and where it may be hurting. Wounded hearts can lie veiled and hidden and display the effects of their hurt through the words and reactions they release. Broken hearts can be healed when placed in the hands of Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. It is a process to reveal the woundedness of the heart, one that takes time, but Jesus can heal anything. ‘Jesus, reveal my wounds and heal me where my heart is wounded,’ I pray.

“Remember whose you are,” continues to ruminate in my mind. I know I am a daughter of the King. It took many years to accept this truth and to open my heart to receive the Lord’s love and healing (still an ongoing process). Life’s struggles attempt to blur my identity as a cherished daughter of the Father. However, walking closely with Jesus reminds me “of whose I am” and helps keep my heart from closing. 

I want a heart fully open to receive all the Lord offers. With an open posture, I realize there is a risk of being hurt by the world. However, Jesus doesn’t ask anything of me that He has not experienced. People in His life harmed and wounded him, but that didn’t stop Him from loving and giving completely of Himself.

Being in Jesus’ presence has filled my heart with more love and compassion in preparation for what Holy Week will bring. This Holy Week will be different, though. The desert journey has drawn me more deeply into the heart of Jesus and given me a more profound understanding of His sacrifice. Walking towards Good Friday begins to grip my heart, and at my core, I ache, contemplating what Jesus will suffer, the unimaginable. But, there is hope in the coming Resurrection, the ultimate expression of an open heart that loves unconditionally. I want to open my heart to receive all the love that pours forth from the cross. 

Scripture

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

Reflection

1. Where do you find your heart at the moment, open, receptive, cautious, etc..?
2. Are you willing to ask Jesus to show you any hurts that might be hidden in your heart? As Jesus reveals to you the wounds in your heart, ask Him what is the lie you believe about yourself in this situation? Then ask Jesus to comfort you and bring His truth to the lie. 
3. Close your eyes and sit with Jesus. Allow Jesus to fill your heart with His love. Then draw a picture of what your heart looks like now