Doubt: Living with Heart
4 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. 6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’ 11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. 12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. 13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest. … 18 “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.” 19 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they couldn’t get to him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to see you.” 21 Jesus replied, “My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God’s word and obey it.”
Luke 8:4-15; 18-21
LIVING WITH HEART
Over ten years ago, I was reading through the Bible, and the word “heart” kept jumping off the page at me.
I reached out to Greg Carey, a professor at Lancaster Theological Seminary, who shared this insightful nugget with me: The Hebrew word “lev” was used in the original text of the Bible. The word lev is used intentionally because it represents the central hub of our lives, rather than just the physical organ. The heart is the center of our spiritual life and the foundation for our reasoning, decision-making, reflecting, and rational thought.
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”— Proverbs 16:9
Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that while we may plan our journey, the Lord guides our steps.
How do we know we are on the path that God has for us?
We are called to pay attention to the moments—the breadcrumbs that God drops along our path. These breadcrumbs serve as reminders that God is guiding our steps, keeping our souls nourished and our hearts fresh.
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” — Deuteronomy 6:5-6
We take the words we read in Scripture and store them in our hearts. We hold them close so we can keep our hearts aligned with our walk with Jesus and our service to others. This reflects the encouragement in Hebrews 3:12-13: “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
Each day, we turn our heart to God.
Each day, recognize the breadcrumbs God leaves along your path.
Each day, be a breadcrumb in someone else’s journey.
Each day, live, work, and serve straight from the heart.
Lead well. Love better.
Jeff
Jeffrey Swarr is a baseball coach, author, and educator dedicated to helping others unlock their potential through mindset, resilience, leadership, and positive self-talk. A seasoned high school head baseball coach and author of works such as A Competitor’s Heart and The Daily Competitor, he shares daily insights on personal growth and purposeful living. Jeffrey strives to share his Christian faith with the students and athletes he is blessed to coach. He is married to Emily and the proud father of Simon, Spencer, and Shepherd.