Into My Heart
Reading: Mark 12:28-34
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
Another favorite camp chorus was Into My Heart. We sang it often, especially at vespers. Perhaps we were attracted to it by the tune, but the words found their way into our memories.
The heart is considered the seat of our emotions. Heart is a word used commonly in both the Old and New Testaments. Isaiah speaks God's word of condemnation of those who "honored me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me." We cannot give lip service to worshiping God. We must devote our total being to God's service.
When we invite Jesus into our hearts we are making room for him in the very center of our lives. Self, and all that is involved with it, must move out of the way. The controlling force becomes Jesus.
In another reference to the heart, Jesus tells us, "What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart." Our intentions will eventually be clearly revealed by our actions. Only when our hearts are pure can we come face to face with God. Only when Jesus is in our hearts will our hearts be pure.
For Reflection: Is Jesus in my heart?
A Prayer Seed:
Into my heart,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;
Come in today, Come in to stay,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Harry D. Clarke
