“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” Ezekiel 36:26 NLT
Empathy wasn’t always a strength. For a long time, I was more concerned about the work done than about the doer of the work. So, no matter what the excuse was, once the work wasn’t done, I would scoff at the fellow.
Then a new Pastor was transferred to our parish, and there was something different about him. I realised he gave extra attention to the challenges of those he led. He would follow up and make you feel cared for.
At that point, I realised I could love people better and ensure work got done. While others focused on his flaws and left the church, I switched my perspective to what God could teach me through this leader. Seven years later, I was better off for it.
When we become born again, we receive a new heart and God’s spirit. But our transformation doesn’t stop there because we gradually learn how the new heart works.
We have to be open to the transformation that God wants to do in us. When we stay closed, we limit God and ourselves.
How does a new heart help us work differently?
We spend most of our working hours doing different expressions of work. How we do this is defined by the level of growth and transformation we have received.
If you care about the well-being of others, it will show in how you treat them as you work together. If you don’t trust others, it’ll also affect how you work with them.
The only way we can do greater works than Jesus did is to have His heart and His Spirit. To have His heart is to love those we serve.
We have compassion when we see someone who needs a solution to a pressing problem. We stay humble even when others exalt us. We serve others even when we’re in a position to be served. We patiently correct the faults of others when it looks like they don’t learn what we teach.
The anointing and empowerment to work aren’t the only requirements to do exploits on earth. We also have to become better versions of ourselves so that we can authentically serve others.
“I choose to allow God to replace the stony parts of my heart with one full of love.”
When we stop being teachable, it means we have ceased loving ourselves, God, and others. When we are open and willing to be moulded with new knowledge, then we are after our progress and the service of others.
If there are parts of your heart that have been closed, perhaps due to past trauma, there’s healing in God. Let Him do the needed surgery so you become whole again.
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