Short Distance, Great Divide

Photo Credit: Igor Ovsyannykov.

I have read that the distance between a human’s head and heart is between 12 and 18 inches, depending on the size and other factors of the individual.  That is not much distance at all, yet quite often the longest journey a Christian travels is from head to heart.  Addressing our head is usually relatively easy.  We hear sermons either live or electronically.  We attend Sunday school and Bible study, read scholarly books and sometimes even make the investment of taking classes for academic credit.  These activities will give a wealth of information, head knowledge. We’ll be able to quote scripture giving chapter and verse, recount church history and recite quotes of great theologians.  We will have a lot of truth. 

But the question is has that truth taken the journey from head to heart?  Unless truth in the head migrates to the recesses of the heart there will never be an awakening of the spirit.  Never a transformation that is evidenced by the way we navigate through our lives.  We will be very secular Christians, knowing a lot about God and His Word without allowing it to impact our living.   For it is the heart which reveals who we really are (Proverbs 27:19 NKJV, 4:23 NIV). 

Without the Word having taken root in our hearts, we cannot effectively witness and lead others to Christ and the Kingdom because carnality narrows the distance and difference between a Christ centered life and a self- centered life.  And if an unbeliever cannot see or experience the difference Christ has made in our lives, it dilutes the impact of our words and the appeal of Christianity.

So, let’s do what the Bible says in James 1:22 and be doers of the Word and not just hearers. The writer of Psalm 119:11 indicates that hiding the Word within our hearts acts as a buffer between us and sin. Let us always remember that the Holy Spirit of God is ready, willing and able to assist us in having the Word cross that great divide from our head to our hearts.