Have You Ever Had Your Heart Cut Out?
Am I the only one who is fascinated with cooking shows? During the pandemic, I consumed every episode of the British Baking Show. What I learned is that what looks easy on television is much harder than it appears. Where do they even find most of those fancy ingredients? I did make a pretty mean chocolate cake. One skill that always mesmerizes me is the knife skills on display. Needless to say that trying to mimic that is quite dangerous, and yes, I have tried!
The precision is due to skill and also the instrument used. If you’ve read any of my blogs you recognize we aren’t going to spend time discussing culinary techniques. However, this imagery is familiar to us and allows a deeper thought to marinate.
Hebrews 4:11-13 teaches us about the traits of God’s Word. He has spoken through His Son, and in His Word. This Word is compared to a sword. When you consider than analogy beware of picturing a medieval knight with a bludgeoning object. Instead the greek word used for sword more aptly describes a dagger which is much more deliberate and capable of precise attack.
We are not working to beat one another over the head with the Bible. Rather we desire to listen to God’s Word as it actively exposes our faults, penetrates our minds, and ultimately cuts out our heart to replace it with His heart.
Have you ever listened to a song that spoke directly to a thought you were dealing with? Have you ever listened to a sermon and felt like the preacher was pointing right at you? Have you ever read God’s Word and felt immediate conviction as your heart was exposed? These moments are examples of the precise cutting of God’s Word as He works to prune and shape us to look more like Him as we love Him and love our neighbors. Let that thought marinate today.
