I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, 

Because You have seen my affliction; 

You have known the troubles of my soul, 

And You have not given me over into the hand of the enemy; 

You have set my feet in a large place.  (Psalm 31:7-8)

The mini-conference was called Healing Life’s Hurts. The presenters spoke to us about our hearts—that space within us that was decimated by the Fall and reclaimed in Christ. This space can be thought of as a temple where we preside as priests. Our hearts have become the dwelling place of God on earth. God must have his way in this space because “from the heart flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Because of the powerful way Christ moved into my heart-space (at age 23), I just assumed I belonged to Him—exclusively. Based on the rearrangements He initiated there, I assumed that He had claimed my heart as His home. I understood that His mission was to reign as Lord in that space. I understood that my life would be a journey where His presence would incrementally and ultimately transform me into the image of His Son. (It is only natural – children ultimately look like their parents.) I was distraught when I discovered how imperfect a priest I was, that I could limit my cooperation with the new life residing in me. My reaction to this discovery was to pray Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me oh God and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”

The language of the conference presenters was new to many of us. From our pulpits, we typically hear Bible truths and how they should affect our lives. Our speakers were taking a different approach. They explained how life in a fallen world had shaped (or misshaped) that space within us—the spring flowing from within has been fouled. Even though they were speaking a relatively foreign language, their knowledge of scripture and the testimonies of changed lives, especially their own, was creating a connection with their audience. By telling how God had operated in the messy space of their own hearts they established a heart-link with their audience. These people carried that authority, unique to fellow sojourners.

I love the scriptures. I deeply respect those who study and preach from the Bible. I appreciate the knowledge they’ve imparted to me over the past four decades. However, in recent years, I noticed my heart languishing in the classic preacher-parishioner relationship. My heart began shying away from conventional sermons, which seemed full of propositional truth and lean toward those with personal illustrations. Sadly, some whom I dearly love will look upon this last statement as further evidence of my apostasy—“Clearly he has elevated experience above God’s Word!” Not at all. I am only elevating the idea of God’s Word (as testimony) getting equal time with teaching. I know both are needed but I see the Word of God being at least as strategic and influential in conversation as its has been in the classic pastoral monologue.

My heart had been growing thirsty for something the preacher did not offer. I believe my heart was trying to learn its native tongue. These conference presenters were speaking it. I intuitively grasped this language of the heart. My ears perk up when people are humble enough to describe their own heart-battles. I thought, “These people are like me; they are my tribe; they have earned authority.” Because I feel safe with them, I grant them permission to speak into my heart. If there is a “language of the heart” it is surely the first language of the Good Shepherd. Listen:

 To him the doorkeeper opens and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice, and a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers. (John 10:3-5)

Through the years I have enjoyed connection with folks from different camps within Christendom. It is not uncommon to meet believers who have just walked away from the main camp, convinced no one was listening. They may have been addressed as brother or sister, but all too frequently, pastor didn’t even remember their names. Are churches shrinking because the sheep do not hear a language their hearts intuitively understand and thirst for?

I fully anticipate a book will come out titled Exit Interviews That Never Happened: The High Cost of Not Listening. It will cover what people wanted to say to the pastor before they left but did not because they feared the guilt trip-reprisals they knew would follow. I have watched this happen over and over. If I have learned anything as a business manager and an elder in a church, it is this: Love’s first impression needs to be listening. Sadly, however, the ears of some work; the ears of others do not.

I would differentiate between hearing, which is the reception of sound waves on the inner ear and listening, which is the translation of those sound waves into language our hearts can grasp. Can the migration of believers from larger to smaller units be explained by sheep simply trying to find others who speak their native tongue? Perhaps they are looking for a place, like the bar in Cheers, where people just know their name.

 Thou hast set my feet in a large place.

The Kingdom of God is the larger place where the Lord has set our feet. Our hearts are dramatically enlarged as we discover His eternal kingdom (where God reigns) overlaps our very own hearts! I know a variety of communities who are learning kingdom language. Their dialects may vary, but their theme of Jesus as Lord does not. These disciples are learning the Shepherd’s language. They are learning that listening is fundamental to this dialect. We cannot really love without listening. Along with Open the Eyes Of Our Hearts, Lord, we should also sing Open the Ears Of Our Souls, Lord.

Father, please, open the ears of souls. In this language our hearts grasp, call your Body in all its fragmented pieces back together. Help us to learn your dialect that we may discover the love of God we have in common. Teach us how listening promotes healing. Raise up true shepherds, fluid and eloquent in this language, who can serve as connecting tissues throughout the Church. Glory and honor and power to your name forever more. Amen.

 

 

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