HELD HEARTS

I was feeling somewhat overwhelmed recently and asked Jesus, "Would you show me a picture that represents what you’re doing right now that would encourage my heart?" Then in my mind’s eye, I received a picture of His arms wrapped around a basket full of hearts. Something about this image instantly put me at ease. My heart was among them. Included were my family members, my friends. Even the hearts of individuals I didn’t know personally, but whose burdens I carried in prayer. Shared between us all was this space. Nestled together, held collectively by Jesus. 

Each heart was unique and had a current emotional state. Some hearts were joyful, worried, or grieving, others were lonely, at peace, or hopeful. I sensed He loved them all. Each one received the fullest expression of His love. 

This picture released me from a false sense of responsibility. Suddenly, the pressure was off of me to have it all together, to protect, to comfort, to restore. My heart, their hearts, were all His. I realized I wasn’t responsible. He is. So, I could rest. I could release them.

I was struck by how glad He was to be with them all. This basket full of hearts was Jesus’ inheritance! God provided us to Him, Jesus, the great steward of all our hearts. He doesn’t just hold the whole world in his hands, we are each uniquely held together by Him. And Jesus takes His role very seriously. My role, our role, is to remain with Him. To present ourselves before Christ. He will handle the rest. 

As I prayed into this picture more, the Lord directed me to John 15:9 in the Passion Translation:"I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts." Wow! My heart was full at the sight of these words. What a verse to describe the posture and intention of Jesus as revealed in the picture of the basket. Jesus’ compassionate love is directed at each of us. He declares this love over us. Our role is simply to receive what is vital: to let His love nourish our hearts continually. 

I wonder. If we align ourselves to let His love nourish us, might we inadvertently be giving Him the very thing He asked the Father for? Listen to the request He made: "I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one. I pray for them to become one with us so that the world will recognize that you sent me." John 17:21 TPT

Here in this basket, huddled closely, hearts touching, could it be we’ve been positioned to answer this prayer? Although we’re socially distant physically, what if we’re becoming spiritually more unified than ever before?  What if right now, amid COVID-19, we are becoming ONE? Just as Jesus wanted. Oh, let it be Lord! 

What about you? Are you feeling overly burdened or responsible? Try asking the Lord, "Whose heart do I need to release to you?" Then ask Him to show you how He will handle the concerns you entrust to Him.

~Gabrielle Leonard