This post is dedicated to a very close friend I’ve had for many years. We have been through so much together and it’s safe to say I love you man! I hope and pray I am an answer to your prayers, along with anyone else who can relate. Here we go…This is a subject I have studied quite a bit and there are hundreds of examples and many scriptures to back it up, however I don’t want this to be a comprehensive essay or calculated post.
Our brain is a wonderful machine that can do absolutely amazing things. Look at the world around us, we have created so much with the capacity to just think. In no way do I want to downplay the importance of our brains and it’s eternal purposes it has in our lives. But thought is not the engine that propels us to our Heavenly home with God. Our brains can be manipulated, changed, and programmed over and over throughout our lives. We think one thing until we are simply convinced otherwise. We perceive one thing until that perception changes. The way of thinking changes everyday. New ideas, concepts, and plans are being conjured up and all are subject to change. I am a firm believer in pondering, meditating and deep thinking. But, to me, that cannot be the only thing. There is another more important element that will distinguish good from bad, happy from sad, Godly from ungodly, and normal from greatness.
Everything starts in the brain,but the only things that “are” were carried out by the heart. Our hearts are our very soul. If what we think doesn’t make it into our hearts then it disappears into our brain. When it enters into our hearts it becomes a reality. Especially the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is not thought it is felt. All of one’s deep thoughts or moments of overthinking is a waste if it is not acted upon. Does the Holy Ghost dwell in our heads? No. Do answers to our prayers resonate with our brains alone? No. Do we think compassion? No. Do we think love? No. Our feelings can’t be challenged by others, although our knowledge sure can. We don’t believe in Jesus Christ or in a religion because it makes sense…Spirituality to the intellect doesn’t make sense, it’s not rational. It feels right so we believe. The first and purest truth is God, He’s not an idea. Our hearts are home to the Good things of God. Everyone is born with an innate feeling to want to know God, know if He exists, know who He is, know how He does what He does. The language of the scriptures is constantly talking about the heart and for good reason. Everything should make it to the heart where the very kingdom of God is. Luke 17:21 “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” True wisdom is the way you live using the knowledge you have acquired. Knowledge alone will not save you. T.S. Elliot said something to think about, “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we’ve lost in information?”
I promise the action felt will be much more powerful than the action thought. God does guide and direct from inside the heart. God always asks us to offer up a broken heart and contrite spirit, not a thoughtful mind. Don’t get lost in thought, open your heart and feel! It feels good to feel good. Your feelings are what will make a difference. Let the Lord in. He stands a the door of our hearts knocking, we have to let him in. I think I have made my point. I feel the Gospel and it is amazing. I have been born of God because I offered up my heart. Best decision I have ever made! I mean if God Himself set his hearts upon us, why do we only think about doing it? “ What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?” -Job 7:17. I promise your vulnerability of being open and show emotion will be uncomfortable but you will be comforted as you do so! Good Luck!
“The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.” Proverbs 15:14.
“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps” -Proverbs 16:9