Transplant - Encouragement Café - September 7

Transplant
By Paris Renae

Because you are my help… Psalm 63:6a NIV

This is a hurting world. Broken, lost, trying to breathe. All around the effect of centuries of sin - and its relentless pursuit - swirl. As I write, a friend's adult son fights for his life - a fall at work left him with a broken skull and his mother clings to God. Babies in the hospital unexpectedly, more moms (dads, grandparents, friends) on their knees.

"I think of You through the watches of the night...My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me." (Psalm 63:6b & 8 NIV)

What of those in similar circumstances, or worse, who don't know God? How do they keep their sanity? What is their hope? 

We speak of 'heart' for all manner of emotions. Over and over God refers to our hearts in the Bible.

Here's an amazing thing: when He takes hold of us (and we let Him), He actually gives us a new heart. Throughout the Old Testament and into the New, He speaks of taking our hearts of stone and replacing them with hearts that are fresh and clean and usable by Him.

"For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." (Romans 10:10 NLT)

Honestly, I don't know how one navigates all that life holds without truly knowing God and knowing the Hope He has given us. "We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in You." (Psalm 39:6-7 NLT)

So, a transplant is what this weary world needs. Hearts transplanted and replaced with ones that beat for Jesus and rely on His power and strength. Ones that can weather the tragedies and still say: 'it is well with my soul'.

For someday these bodies will fail, but those with transplanted hearts from God will again walk and never grow weary, and there will be no more tears (or moms whose pain is not fathomable). "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever." (Psalm 73:26 NLT) 

Oh Father, this life is beautiful but sometimes it hurts. Thank you for our very breath. But help us also Lord to find the ability to put one foot in front of the other because of Your strength. We are weak but all power belongs to You. In times of joy and in pain, may our eyes lift to You and our souls rest in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

For more encouragement, visit Paris at http://parisrenae.com 

© 2021 by Paris Renae.  All rights reserved.               

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