God who promises us a new heart

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” Ezekiel‬ ‭36:26-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I don’t like my job at all. There I said it, and I don’t feel any remorse whatsoever.

Today was a rough day at work. Many changes have taken place, including the increase in my case load, the navigating of different clients’ systems, the greater demands for productivity, the awareness of the acute incompetence of various members of the leadership team…and it could go on and on and on. If I dwell any further on this, I could keep on griping. Until next year even.

Yesterday, after I took my aunt to the Philadelphia International airport, I sat waiting at the drop off point for the car in front of me to pull out so I could leave that area and head back to New Jersey. A female officer noticed me and began beckoning me to move. I responded to her through my sealed car windows that I was waiting for the car in front of me to move. Mrs. Officer kept on motioning for me to get moving and I kept on responding to her what my plans were. “I’m waiting for the car to move,” I said while pointing at the car directly in front. Before I knew it, she was at the driver’s window waving her ticket book in my face. Can you imagine the stricken look that my face reflected? I rolled down my window and told her thanks and quickly drove off, hoping to avoid another bill, especially a ticket from another state.

As I drove off however, the words that left my mouth regarding this officer were not kind. I muttered in that car words that were unwholesome (opposite of the command Paul gave in Ephesians 4:29), it went something like, um, I think I will let you use your imagination.

Friends, as soon as the words left my mouth Holy Spirit rebuked me. This was how, He used a verse from ABBA’s word.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalms‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The words that came from my mouth though private, was not hidden from Abba. He knew them and wasn’t pleased. In fact, these words were certainly not acceptable in His sight. Ouch!

As He dealt with me He showed me that the officer had a job to do, and my posture should have been to obey with no issues. When I drove off, my attitude should not have been that of grumbling; it should be that of being thankful she did not give me a ticket. I should have been thankful that she gave me fair warning (even if I did not like her attitude), thankful that she had a job to enforce to ensure I was able to pull up to the curb and let my aunt off in the first place. The list of gratitude could continue but you catch my drift.

While the Lord dealt with me, it became once more apparent that He is concerned about our heart posture. Paul to the church in Rome admonished them to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:1-2). So many times, we walk around doing our duties and refuse to adhere to the leading of Holy Spirit, especially where heart surgery is concerned. We lay on the table of sacrifice and as soon as the fire is turned up, we jump off and run away, desiring to do our own things. We want to do what we want, have our own way, have things go the way we dictate and to not surrender our minds and by extension our entire beings to the Lord. So many times, I think we forget this, I know I do. Yahweh, desires that we reflect Him, both in public and in private.

As I now think back to my job, I see that my posture regarding all that is going on there, should be one where I view the happenings through His lens. Am I praying for the leadership to be given wisdom? Am I praying for the grace to serve with a spirit of excellence? Am I asking for supernatural strength to do what only He can do through me? Am I asking Him to bridle my tongue so I don’t sow discord among fellow co-workers? Am I truly reflecting Jesus – do folks see His heart in me when the pressure is on?

“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” Psalms‬ ‭51:6‬ (ESV)

My prayers for us, is that we daily (even minutely) surrender to His leading. His chiding. His firm grips. His rebukes. His love.

His Word promises that those who are broken, those with a contrite heart will not be despised. He resists the proud, but the humble, those He gives grace. He promises to give us a new heart, let’s just surrender and obey.

From His heart, to ours ❤️

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Until next time remember, His Promises are our Guarantee…🙌🏽