Wayne Weekly “Frozen Hearts”

We all knew it was coming. Many of us shuttered (and shivered) at the thought. January has arrived and brings with it even more than perhaps we expected, especially so soon.

As I write this the east coast is bracing for heavy snowfall, followed by more sub-zero or nearly sub-zero temperatures. Here in Central NY, we are accustomed to these rude visits by Mr. Winter, but we survive and move forward. Not so with those on the east coast. Big cities have big challenges in extreme winter conditions. Things like the homeless population, navigating the city in emergency situations, and then “where do we put all the snow?” Recovery operations can be grueling…and costly.

Though in a few weeks our weather and drastic freezing temperatures will no doubt be statistics in meteorology records, there is another area that can freeze and be thawed only by the fire from God, and that is the heart of man.

We don’t enjoy hearing what the scriptures say about the human heart:

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.”                                                                                                                                      Matthew 15:19

“’This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Matthew 15:8

“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”

Jeremiah 17:9

A cold heart toward God is bad enough, a frozen one is a disaster. Even a Christian’s heart can cool off toward God and the things of God. A frosted heart, well it may be a condition of an angry and unforgiving spirit.  Solid ice? Perhaps that sub-zero spiritual condition is reserved for those who refuse to turn to God, though His revelation is witnessed by all (Psalm 19:3).

Perhaps your heart has become hardened to the voice of God due to failing to accept His plan for your life. Perhaps your struggles with sin seem hopeless, and you have convinced yourself that God does not care or has given up on you. He has not. He remains faithful.

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”                 2 Timothy 2:13

Christian, your heart may need a warm-up. That comes by submission to God, forgiveness, the forsaking of sin, and seriously renewing your commitment to Him.  For you without Christ, you need a thaw that comes from repentance and trusting Christ as Savior. Receiving His loving kindness melts away the icy human heart.

In 2018, let’s check our heart’s temperature. Let’s shoot for 98.6.

“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways.”

Proverbs 23:26