A Heart of Clay

A HEART OF CLAY

By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly

There was a period of time that I could count on one hand how many times I had cried in 10 years.  For many of you now facing heartbreak, this might sound appealing— to be insulated from the grief and gnawing ache. After choosing to harden, there was a brief period of relief in being spared anguish.  However, I quickly discovered that my insulation from pain came at an exorbitant cost.  I was numb.

The numbness of a hard heart is a two-edged sword.  It is not a selective condition that can be turned off and on at will.  While we may be spared pain, we are also numbed to joy, pleasure, hope, love and the comfort of God.  It cuts off the blood flow to empathy and compassion, which constrains our effectiveness in ministry and erects relational walls that come by way of our insensitivity to others.

Painlessness is no joy, beloved. The Lord in His mercy allowed another heartbreak in my life.  The pain was intense enough to finally break through the hard shell around my heart.  Bittersweet tears rolled —both from the pain and simultaneous joy of feeling alive again.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel‬ ‭36:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Tears and a tender heart may be embarrassing or inconvenient, but they connect us to the heart of God.  Jesus wept, too (John 11:35).  And compassion is a whisper from the heart of God that ushers in miracles.

“Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.” – Matthew 20:34 NASB

Lord, give us ears to hear You. Soften our hearts to be as moldable clay, pliable and responsive to Your touch.  Use us to reach others who hurt by bringing hope and healing through compassion.  May we guard our hearts, not with callousness, but with our armor, our sword, shield and garment of praise.  And may we take up our cross and joyfully follow You.  In Jesus’ Name ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

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