I’ve been reading Renovation of the Heart In Daily Practice (Dallas Willard). Today he talked about The Heart of Me.
He said that there are six basic aspects to a person:
- Thoughts (images, concepts, judgments. inferences)
- Feelings (sensations, emotions)
- Choice (will, decisions, character)
- Body (actions, interaction with the physical world)
- Social context (personal and structural relations to others)
- Soul (the factor the integrates all of the above to form one life)
“Each aspect or dimension of the person will be a source of weakness or strenth to the whole person, depending on the condition it is in. The condition it is in will depend on the heart. A person who is prepared and capable of responding to the situations of life in ways that are good and right is a person whose soul is in order, under the direction of a well-kept heart, in turn under the direction of God.”
What is a well-kept heart? My thoughts, my feelings, my choices, my body, my relationships and my soul depend on my heart. If my weakness or strength depends on it – how do I keep it well?
Know His word so well that I am not confused – I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:10-11)
Spend time talking to Him and keeping my bearings – My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. (Psalm 27:8)
Wait for Him – Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9)
Continue in what I know – Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. (Psalm 119:2-3)
And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (Isaiah 58:11)