Heart

Written by cycleguy on August 10th, 2018

Someone has said, “A wise man learns by the experience of others. An ordinary man learns by his own experience. A fool learns by nobody’s experience.”

The two characters in the movie Chariots of Fire were Eric Liddell and Harold Abram. Both were passionate about running, but in different ways. Abram runs in order to prove something; he is a man whose life is motivated by ought, by duty, by law. Liddell runs because as he says, “When I run I feel God’s pleasure.” There was a young lady here who was feeling a lot of pressure when she was running. It was taking the fun out of it for her. I saddled up to her before a race and told her the story of Liddell. Then I looked at her and said, “Run well and feel God’s pleasure.”

You see…it is true what Liddell says. When asked where his power comes from to see the race to the end, he simply said, “It comes from within.”

One of the most familiar verses in Proverbs is 4:23: “Keep your heart will all vigilance (diligence), for from it flow the springs of life.” My purpose this Sunday is to probe what that verse means, but in particular the whole idea of what is the heart? In this sermon Proverbs will go from theorizing to probing. Very pointed. Very convicting. Perhaps C.S.Lewis says it best: “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slime because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

Your prayers would be much appreciated.

 

7 Comments so far ↓

  1. Hi Bill,

    Nice to be here again. I’ve missed the blogging world.

    What a great CS Lewis quote, ending with “We are far too easily pleased.” –distracted, satiated by common things, and not by the greatest Things.

    My husband and I just got back from some leadership meetings, and I’ve been pondering all the ways that we can hold tighter to the heart of God, believing his words, striving to live in courageous transparency and humility, apologizing openly when wrong, and choosing to boldly chase what God has placed as our callings, no matter the obstacles.

    I find it’s way too easy to compromise and to settle for easy passtimes, instead of to lean in harder.

    Hello to you and your wife and family.

    Happy summer,
    Jennifer Dougan
    http://www.jenniferdougan.com

    • cycleguy says:

      Nice to hear from you again Jennifer. I’ve been reading the blogs you occasionally write and was hoping you would become more “prolific.” I know the loss of a parent can be traumatic and I pray the presence of the Spirit was real for all of you. Thanks for commenting.

  2. Love the quote from C. S., Bill! I’ll be praying for you, my friend.
    Blessings!

  3. floyd samons says:

    Sounds like God’s going to speak mightily through you this weekend, brother.

    Powerful and encouraging words.

    Praying for you.

    • cycleguy says:

      I’m praying He will speak through me this weekend Floyd. They are both powerful and encouraging and words many need to hear (starting with me).

  4. Pam says:

    Good material here, Bill. Praying God will speak to and through you and that those who hear would have open hearts and minds. I know God will bless both you and them.