The Heart Matters

Last week I was suffering with a lingering cold and cough; nothing serious, but it was making life unpleasant. I had been fighting this virus for weeks. Sick and tired, just plain exhausted, I stayed home. I spent that week with two guys – we spent hours together each day. My head foggy from cold tabs – I listened intently (well at least I was trying to listen) as James and Jesus spoke.

They had a lot to say. I wasn’t sure if I appreciated the time they spent with me – I had a lot of chores and postponed projects to attend. In spite of my protests, I decided to entertain them and open my mind and even my heart to what they were saying. I was surprised and convicted by their words – I was also encouraged and compelled to action. I had been drafted into “The James Gang”.

Yes, I took on the challenge of studying the Letter of James. I questioned whether this particular letter was worth all the time and energy to study. Besides, what’s up with that James guy. I have a Lutheran background and every good Lutheran knows that James is suspect and contrary to the “fide sola” of Paul. Every good Protestant knows that you don’t need works to be justified and deemed righteous before the Lord.

James-sure, his letter made the canon, but it is not that important to sound doctrine. In fact, isn’t it just plain trouble? Just focus on Paul, Peter and John to gain a clear understanding of the Christian walk.

Wasn’t James just the uptight little brother of Jesus? He obviously had unresolved personal ”issues”. Imagine, growing up with Jesus and rejecting His ministry, only to find that your crazy older brother is indeed the promised Messiah (after Jesus was raised from the dead) and that you were the one who didn’t “get it”. Yeah, that could lead to some unresolved issues.

With reservations, I opened up my home to these two guys. I looked around the room. It was cluttered with dust, dirty socks, and bowls of half eaten chicken soup. I had to make room both for them and for what they said.

What they shared was so amazing, I had to pass it on. So, I am going to put it down in this and future blogs. I discovered a lot about how God views people and how serious God is about love – especially when it comes to loving other people. I discovered that I have a lot to learn about faith and having a grateful heart. What’s really ironic is James is not the one with unresolved issues-I am.

Come along and see for yourself how spending a week or even just a hour or two with these guys can rock your world. Today I see myself differently. I see people differently. I see God differently. I hope you will see me differently too. I’m not saying that I totally “get it”-but I do understand more than I did. Maybe my head wasn’t really foggy from that cold tab – maybe its been that way all along.