© 2007 Kimberly Nyce ~ Writings from the Heart-Rock Collection
Walking in the woods today, I felt as I have so many times on my solitary walks - a sense of longing and hunger for God. Thoughts swirled in mind...silence is what I truly desired.
So much of life is wasted on thoughts that deplete, defeat and leave one feeling empty and hungry for something more substantial, life giving and satisfying.
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." ~John 6:35 NIV
Nothing in this world (be it a person, place or thing) can fill that space within that craves love - that hungers for peace and contentment. It's a place that only God's love can fill, to truly satisfy. His love is overflowing, abundant and poured out, if we will only receive it. But...sometimes the heart (the will) is unable to receive this love. The walls of bitterness and resentment hedge us in; at other times, our heart have turned to stone - full of fear, broken-hearted over life - unable to feel, to breathe, to open to the joy and pain of life.
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." ~ Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)
When I read this scripture, 'heart' rocks came to mind which remind me (tangible evidence for me) that God's love is available, everpresent and patiently awaiting my invitation to receive it. When I look for it (in people, places, and things) I cannot find it. When I let go and let God bring me what I need (in His time), I am filled to overflowing.
To seek God first. To surrender your heart. To be content only in Him. I prayed that I might find a heart rock that would resemble the growing and expanding heart of Christ within me.
I found a large rock resembling a heart, though it wasn't quite perfect. It didn't express the perfect love of Christ that I longed for. I continued on my walk - determined to not settle for less than perfection.
Just as I released a prayer from my heart...I looked down at the trail before me. A perfect heart-shaped rock lay patiently in the earth, awaiting my notice. It was three dimensional - expansive and perfectly shaped on both sides. Another rock for my growing collection.
Christ's love is perfect. Why do I seek love from other sources which do not fill me? They only drain me of my hope and dreams. I'm left still longing - hungry and demanding to be satiated.
God can fill that longing, but first, I must I surrender and admit my weakness and brokeness. I surrender into God's powerful loving hands, my life and will to mold and shape as He so desires for his purposes.
The transformation of heart begins...
Heartrock (pictured above) discovered while meditating by a brook behind the Wilson House in East Dorset, VT. 1993
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