Turning With An Open Heart
(6 minutes)
But the moment one turns to the Lord with an open heart, the veil is lifted and they see. Now, the "Lord" I'm referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom. We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)
"So when I'm talking about 'the moment one turns,' I'm not just talking about glancing to see if Jesus is with you - He's always with us. I'm talking about, you turn your heart and you yield to His Lordship, in that moment. That means there may be some things I want to do, and then there are some things that He wants me to do. Which one will I let rule my life? My own appetite, my own desires, my own wishes?" (Pastor Tim)
This is a truth that we really need to embrace. Turning our hearts to the Lord isn't just a subtle glance to make sure that He hasn't left our side. We've already settled this. His goodness has already brought us to the place where we know that He doesn't do abandonment. He's never leaving or forsaking His beloved sons and daughters. The turning that we are talking about is a yielding of the heart that says, "Not my will, but yours be done!" This turning is our submitting to Abba's point of view.
Let's stop and think for a second. When was the last time that we intentionally turned our hearts to Abba to yield to His point of view? When was the last time that we knew what we wanted to do, but instead of submitting to our own perspective, we turned our hearts to the Lordship of the Spirit to discover what Abba wanted to do? This is not an exercise to produce shame. This is taking an honest look at our life and the fruit that it is producing. How often are we inviting Abba into our decisions? Let's just look at yesterday. Who was the Lord of your life yesterday? Who was the decision-maker?
Remember, honesty is the first step towards intimacy. Abba wants us to be vulnerable. This is why the scripture says, "But the moment one turns to the Lord with an OPEN heart." That openness is a heart that is honest and vulnerable with the Spirit. This is a heart that says, "Abba, this is what I want to do. I won't pretend that it's not. But I want You to make the decision here, not me. What is Your heart concerning this matter?"
As we walk with Abba today, let's open up to Him like never before. He can handle the real us. He can handle our honesty and He wants nothing more than for us to be vulnerable with Him. That honesty may sound like, "Abba, I am having a hard time surrendering in this area. My heart doesn't want You to be Lord here. I want to be in control. As I soak in Your presence, would You smother me with kisses and let Your goodness change my mind in this area? I know that wherever Your Spirit is Lord, there is freedom, and I want freedom in this area. So I'm going to keep showing up in Your presence until my heart is changed and I desire Your Lordship more than my own opinion." This may be how the yielding of your heart begins - with an open, honest conversation with Abba as you soak in His presence.
Beloved One, you won't be rejected when you open your heart up to Him. He's pure light and there's no trace of darkness in Him at all.
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Worship: "Open Space" by Housefires
Honor: Give Online to The Wilderness Place
Share With Us: We would love to hear how you're encountering Abba in your daily walks. Don't hesitate to share what you're hearing, seeing, or sensing in His presence. Email us here!