God’s Radical Reconstruction of the Heart

Why is it difficult for us to make changes in our lives? Perhaps because we like to have control of our surroundings or situations. People frequently claim that they can only feel secure when they know what is going on in their lives. Others, including myself, think out of place when forced out of their comfort zone. We need a few minutes or even days to adapt or blend in. The reality is that having some level of control makes us feel more at ease as humans.

In Matthew 5, Jesus teaches us how to live and behave as God’s children through the Beatitudes.

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit – We need to recognize that we need God.
2. Blessed are those who mourn – We need to repent of our self-sufficiency
3. Blessed are the meek – We stop calling the shots and surrender control to God.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness – We must develop a burning
   hunger to spend time with God, so we get to know Him and become more like Him.
5. Blessed are the merciful – We learn to forgive others just like He has forgiven us.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart -We change our outlook.
7. Blessed are the peacemaker – We learn to love others the way God loves us.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted – We learn to endure unjustness, persecution,
   suffering, pain, threats, or pressures for openly living for Jesus Christ and His kingdom.

The most remarkable thing about this list is that God wants to change us from the inside out. He wants to reconstruct our hearts so we can become more like Him. Just consider how much trust children have in their teachers, parents, grandparents, and other family members. Why? Because they believe in them. Why would they doubt them if they knew of their love, guidance, teaching, and protection?

The same is true with us. The more time we spend with God and get to know Him through His Word, the more we trust Him. However, we cannot trust someone we don’t know. The only way we can do this is by surrendering our will and plans to the only One who truly knows us, created us and left heaven to become one of us so we can rebuild our relationship with the Father.

Let us surrender every area in our hearts to the Lord today so He can transform it from the inside out. I know this is difficult, but I can assure you that even though our hearts aren’t perfect, and we may be afraid to let go, our Father, who knows us, will learn how to rebuild our hearts from the inside out so that we will one day be like Jesus.

Thank you for your love, patience, mercy, and grace. Father, today, I surrender every area of my heart. I no longer wish to be in control of every situation. I trust You and know that You have my best interest at heart. Guide me to stay in my lane and run my race. In Jesus, precious name, amen.

Reference:
Holy Bible New Living Translation, Tyndall House Publishers, Inc, 2015.