“The essence of coming to [Jesus] goes to the core of your being. A strong foundation means you’ve got to go all the way in and all the way down. The wise builder digs as deep as he needs in order to get to the rock. So when you show up, be ready to deal with the truth of your heart. And it’s not always pretty in there.”- Alli Patterson
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”- Luke 6:45 (NIV)
In Chapter 3 (“Tell the Truth”) of How to Stay Standing, Alli Patterson contrasts what the Bible says about the heart with the view of modern Western culture. Modern Western culture often narrows its concept of the heart down to the source of our emotions. However, in the Bible the heart is the very core and essence of the person. Therefore, the heart motivates your actions.
Furthermore, Alli underscores, the Bible describes the heart as a very complex and dynamic center of life. Because the heart holds our wisdom, discernment, experience, emotions, connections. And it’s the very source of life itself.
Hence, we need to acknowledge the truth of our own hearts by taking a look at what comes out of our life. And, as Alli counsels, we need to note our inconsistencies:
“Not only are all the things we do and say linked to what’s going on in our hearts, but we have a tremendous capacity for self-deception. We call Jesus Lord but maintain places in our lives where he clearly isn’t. . . . If you want to know the truth about your own heart, there’s a fail-proof method: look at the output in your life.”
Today’s question: What Scriptures help you emulate the wise builder? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Crumbling places – digging past”
