“Giving is an exercise that makes a healthy heart” (Hedlund). I thought we would go back to the Gem of the week. This one seems perfectly placed. Have you noticed since New Year’s Day it seems no matter what station, at what time of day you watch? There are several diet commercials, healthy eating tips and gyms offering free to reduce membership for the New Year.
We have spent the last couples of months goring ourselves; now all of a sudden we are health conscience again. I am not a doctor; but then again it does not take a doctor to tell you, if you exercise on a regular basis your heart and overall health will increase.
This is the case with the spiritual heart as well. The more we exercise it the more it grows and the healthier it gets. If you have ever heard me speak or you read my post on a semi-regular basis you know, I am big on acts of service for the people of God. Our mission statement at Tomah is, “We are a people of God who seek to follow His example by washing the feet of those in need”. To accomplish this we must give of ourselves.
Giving of ourselves can take on many shapes and forms. This could include babysitting for a single parent so they can have a night out. It could be visiting the shut-in, shoveling snow for your neighbor. It could include giving money to someone who is in need. Or it could be as simple as having coffee with someone who is struggling, truly listening to them and doing nothing more than giving them a safe place to vent. These are just a few examples of giving.
The point is when we give out of love; love for God and love for humanity then our spiritual heart grows. We follow the example of Christ; showing the heart of Christ to the world being his hands and feet. However if we give out of obligation instead of love we often become bitter, self-centered and eventually our giving will drop off. Our spiritual heart will shrink.
So what will you do this week through the power and direction of the Holy Spirit to give to others and exercise that spiritual heart muscle of yours? Food for thought. Pastor Travis out.
