Personal Growth

Change of Heart

*This Random Thought includes teachings of Jesus and mentions my understandings of the scriptures and other personal insights and inspirations. If that’s not your sort of thing, I’d suggest skipping this one.

The idea of having a change of heart truly started after Jesus nixed the Law of Moses in his Sermon on the Mount. Animals were no longer to be a sacrifice on our behalf, but our own repentance from the soul and change of heart and mind were now required.

As I was doing my own studying, I decided to see where I was and inspect my own “change of heart” progression. I am in my late 30’s and I remember in my early 20’s (before 25) thinking about this “change of heart” and how one knows if you’ve done that. I remember being told that a change of heart means not having any ill will against anyone and basically not wishing for any evil or harm to come to them. I certainly wasn’t there when I was pondering this, and so decided to see what that felt like – to not hate or think ill of others. 

It took a little while, but I realized that meant having love instead of anger (like the second greatest commandment). When I decided I didn’t want to have ill will against others I had indeed the proverbial “mighty change of heart”. Though I still struggled with judgement and anger, my ill will for others had truly left. That was one of the few times I felt a huge spiritual shift in my life…that I can remember. It’s mostly been here and there a little.

Today I had another shift. A small one, but still significant. I realized you can’t just not have ill will towards others. You’ve got to also desire good for them as well, perhaps even the best for them! That’s hard when in my selfish state I desire good for me and mine, and then to reach outside of that is truly uncomfortable. But I recognize that by so doing I will bring good and the best into my life. In essence I have to leave behind selfishness and go for others-ness.

I think instead of starting a gratitude journal, on Sunday’s I’ll write out what good or great things I desire for others. I think this will keep me stay on track.

What do you think about all this?

Randomly Yours,

Chelsea