Written by Elizabeth Haarberg.

The Heart of the Matter.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Growing up I attended multiple denomination churches with my family. Like most children’s complaints, I was typically bored while attending. I had little interest in anything that had to do with church. As I got older, I became more aware that I was missing something. I continued to attend church, and read multiple publications on Christian, new age, Hindu, etc. looking for the answer. I engaged in philosophical, and deep, conversations trying to put the pieces in place.

It wasn’t until my mother got very sick that all the questions began to be answered. Death has a strange way of sorting out the burning questions from the argument. Getting to the heart of the matter happens fast when going through the valley of death.

“They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
Luke 24:32

In the story is two people walking to Emmaus expressing deep sadness over the death of Jesus. Jesus hides his identity from them as he approaches. They don’t know who he is until he shows himself right before he disappears.

The one clue they had when Jesus was with them was their hearts burned when He was near.

If I’m bored, or the fire in my heart has been extinguished, I get into prayer, and the Word, and ask for more passion, more fire, and a fresh encounter with Him. This can come through the Word, an answered prayer, or a multitude of ways.

We are responsible for kindling the fire, though. This is no one’s job but our own. The pastor, the elders, etc. is not responsible for our personal relationship with Jesus. That is our job.

I’ve been struggling with a lack of fire for a few months. I’m very aware of the lack of passion I have toward God compared to the fire I’ve experienced in the past.  I’ve been praying for a movement in me, that He will stoke the flame.

If it’s been a long time since your heart has been on fire for God, or if it has never been set ablaze, I encourage you to pray. Jesus is Alive and the Holy Spirit is inside of us to spark the fire!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado