These are the people who know me best - my wife, Laura and our daughter, Olivia. They see me first thing in the morning before I've showered or brushed my teeth. They know how I act when I'm tired. They see me when I'm annoyed. They experience me when I'm annoying. They can't see my heart... or can they?
I've been on a parallel reading track as I'm ramping up with the Granger team for what promises to be an innovative initiative in life formation. So, I'm reading John Ortberg's new book, The Me I Want to Be along with Willard & Simpson's Revolution of Character and Willard & Jan Johnson's Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice. All of these works focus on the active role of both human choice and the power of the Holy Spirit in transforming our life.
Transformation isn't about behavior modification. It's about the heart. It's about change from the inside out. Willard and Johnson pose the challenging question: "What sort of heart would you like to have?"
I want a heart that is patient even when I'm tired. A heart that isn't self-seeking. A heart that is less controlling and more about serving. I want a heart that causes me to be fully present with my girls. A heart that agonizes over the brokenness - of my neighbor, the masses in Haiti, and my own life. A heart for Jesus that calls out the best in my girls, that draws them toward Jesus. I want a transformed heart that my girls can see.
My transformation - and yours - will be evidenced and developed as we serve strangers, discipline our lives, and live vulnerably with the people who know us best.
I want my heart to be continually transformed by God's Spirit so He shines through my somber, tired, sad face - as well as my smile.
I'm grateful for the love of Jesus behind my girls' smiles. I love this journey with them.
May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech. 2 Thessalonians 2.15
