A Change of Heart
AM Psalm 119:1-24 • PM Psalm 12, 13, 14
Amos 3:12-4:5 • 2 Pet. 3:1-10 • Matt. 21:23-32
I decided to start today’s refection with a question. What’s the greatest change of heart you have ever had? Take a moment to think about that.
A change of heart is not the same as changing your mind. A change of heart is much deeper and implies that there has been an emotional, profound change to your way of acting—a conversion of your heart to a different value set. Changing one’s mind is more mechanical, a simple change in the way you think about a certain thing or action. I change my mind numerous times a day: the order of how I am going to do my chores, what to eat for lunch, what to plant in the garden and where to plant it and so on. I have truly and honestly changed my heart or more accurately had my heart changed significantly only a few times. Other times there were slight but important tweaks that God needed to make to bring me more fully into his will. What made these changes so momentous? They were the result of an experience with God that fundamentally altered not only my heart but all of me and how I live.
In the Gospel reading today Jesus recounts the story of two sons. Both changed their actions or rather changed their minds resulting in different actions. One changed for the better and one became a big disappointment. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” The answer is so plain that even the hypocrites that Jesus was speaking with got the answer right for a change. Of course, it is the one that in the end did what his father wanted him to do. If that was the end of the parable it would have a simple meaning: do what God, your father, wants you to do.
However, we cannot help but ask what happened to the sons afterward? Jesus gave us no indication if the change of mind exhibited by them lasted. Did one continue to be obedient to his father and the other continue his life as a liar and hypocrite? Our curiosity for these answers can prevent us from getting to a very important point. Jesus wanted us to see a fundamental altering of the heart. Only a change of the heart results in true repentance and is the ultimate outcome that God wants.
To clarify his message, Jesus holds up as examples of true change the prostitutes and tax collectors brought to repentance by the message of John the Baptist. These are examples of change that was brought about by the intervention of the Holy Spirit. We see the truth that deep, meaningful and lasting change is always possible with God, no matter your past. God wants us to transform our minds and do what he wants knowing that this is the first step to a true change of heart. Indeed, in each instance my change of heart was predicated upon changing my mind.
I have written in my Bible next to this parable that “God is not concerned with our past; he is only interested in our future.” I am comforted by this but also mortified by the knowledge that none of my secrets are hidden from God. He knows the thoughts of my mind as well as what my heart desires, and he knows my history. God is working on my future every day, never giving up on this recalcitrant child. His promise is to always lead me and guide me in life. I just have to listen and be willing. In our reading from 2 Peter, Peter reminds us that the Lord is not slow in keeping his promises. “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.”
My prayer every day for me and for you is that our lives might continually exhibit the changes God has wrought in our hearts and that he will continue to make the changes we need to fully live into his promise for us.
Written by Dennis McKinnie
...who changes his mind frequently when writing a Morning Reflection.