GROWING A LARGER HEART

I first started reading Oswald Chamber’s devotional, My Utmost for His Highest nine years ago. Because someone said I should.

I faithfully read it through for one year. Then I tucked it away in a box, taped the box shut and shoved the whole thing in the back of the closet.

During that year, a few things made me nod my head. But more things made me scratch my head. In other words, I wasn’t ready to hear what Oz had to say because God hadn’t grown my heart big enough yet to make room for those understandings.

Fast forward nine years. This year, as I read through his devotionals, I agree with more of his interpretations and preaching. Evidently, though long dead, Oz is still growing spiritually.

Or perhaps I am.

It seems that the larger my heart is for Jesus, the more willing I am to see what God may be telling me through the written words of a brother in Christ.

PRAYER: Give me another 9 years or 90, God—all in your timing. But please keep growing my heart to understand and praise you more. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Are you ever surprised when you gain new understanding of scripture you always thought you understood?

NOTE: For more in this series, click on the page “OZ AND I” to the right.