Matters of the Heart

I am reading Alone Together by Sherry Turkle. It is about technology, and she begins the book by sharing her findings from the many studies she's done on robots, and the role that they play in our lives. Many of the people studied said that a robot was an acceptable, and in some cases, even a preferable substitute for a human companion. I can only assume that the people studied are not aware of how poor we would be without human relationships. I can only assume the subjects of the study don't realize that relationships are probably the primary tool God uses to change us and grow us and bring us both joy and conviction over sin. This is seen in the Bible when God uses Nathan to point out David's sin (2 Sam. 12), and it is seen in our own lives. The other night, I made a list of some of the most significant things God has done in my life in the past few years, and all the changes that God had brought about came through people He's brought into my life. The people who said they would be equally happy with a robot or a person don't want to be changed in any way, or have to confront their own sin.

In one of their songs, The Dixie Chicks sing that they would like to have a heart of stone to avoid heartache. It is not meant as a theological statement, but I can't help but wonder what life would be like with a heart of stone. I wouldn't experience heartache, but neither would I experience the joy of loving someone and caring for them. This would be a pitiful state. God's given us who are His hearts of flesh (Ez. 36:26), and that comes with a lot of responsibility. Our hearts must be guarded and kept with all diligence (Pro.4:23); we must keep our hearts from becoming filled with anxiety (John 14:1.) Hearts of flesh come with responsibility, and are vulnerable to heartache, but they are also the vessels from which come great joy and changes that lead to greater Christ-likeness. Have you thanked God for giving you a heart today? And have you sought to keep your heart pure?