The Abundance of the Heart

Reflection

“The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” I find Jesus’ words in Luke to be true in so many aspects of life. For instance, when a couple is in love, they may sing songs, recite a poem, or give complements to each other; their words reveal their loving hearts. The same is true for a couple during a breakup. They might start accusing each other, blaming each other, listing reasons why the other is wrong; their words reveal their broken hearts. There is no coincidence in what they say; their hearts and words are connected.

Jesus demonstrated this point when describing how the condition of a tree and the fruit it bears are connected: as no good tree will bear bad fruit, nor will a bad tree bear good fruit. His metaphor aptly described the relationship between a man’s heart and his actions, not simply his words. “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart” (v. 45).

God has not left us on our own if we seek to do good things. He has given us his Word; it teaches us, it leads us to the path of righteousness and gives us everything we need to stay on that path. As we seek him to make it a part of us, as we hide it in our hearts, more and more, our hearts mirror his, our thoughts, our words, and actions become more like his. The more of God’s Word that we store up in our hearts, the more good things we will have to offer. And just as people seek good fruit, they will find in us the eternal truths they are looking for.

In this season of Lent, let us commit to hiding more of God’s Word in our hearts. Let us seek deeper understanding and more wisdom that will continue to transform us into the image of Christ, prepared to do what is good—all for his sake.