MELLOWNESS OF HEART

Good Morning!

MELLOWNESS OF HEART

Have you ever been put on edge by being  around a duty-bound person on a mission for God who came across as highly driven, ridged, and  perhaps a bit on the angry side?  Of course they were very committed to their cause and intensely spiritual.  But to be honest, you would rather hug a porcupine.

The older brother in the parable of the prodigal son was scrupulously faithful for years in service to his father, but with a bitter heart.  The parable teaches us that we can be away from the Father not only through infidelity (the younger brother) but also through bitterness and anger (the older brother).  It is Jesus’ intention that we have the compassion of the Father that emanates from a grateful heart. 1 In the Old Testament God indicts the Israelites because they “did not serve the Lord [their] God joyfully and gladly” (Deu. 28:47).

Gustavo Gutierrez has suggested that to be healthy spiritually we must feed our souls through prayer, the practice of justice, and through having those things in our lives (good friends, good wine, creativity, and healthful leisure) that keep the soul mellow and grateful. 2 Wise old Solomon reminds us that “the cheerful heart has a continual feast…A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too…is from the hand of God” (Pro.15:15b; Ecc. 2:24).

Yes, you and I are keenly aware that our task is to reach out to our hurting world with the Master’s love.  But we will fail in our mission if it is accomplished out of an anxious, angry, guilt-ridden, or duty-bound heart.  Only the grateful of heart transform the world.  When the Ark of the Covenant was placed in King Solomon’s  newly built temple, mellow hearts burst forth in joyful praise-filled celebration. “The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: ‘He is good; his love endures forever…’” (2 Chro. 5:13a).

As a college student I was profoundly influenced by the biography of an Englishman whom God greatly used in Asia in the 1800’s. His commitment and sacrifice knew no bounds. Years later I learned that over the years however, he had become so insufferably mission-driven that his fellow-missionaries found it nearly impossible to co-labor with him. Tragically he had become a bitter old man on a mission.

By way of contrast, Jesus easily co-mingled with common folks like you and me.  The masses loved to be around Him, viewing Him as kind, approachable, and deeply compassionate. No wonder children naturally gathered around Him.  To be sure He was on His Father’s all-important mission, but He approached it with an air of grace and calm. Clear evidence that Jesus indeed possessed a mellow heart.

QUESTION:  So how are you doing in the mellow heart department?  Are you angry? Over-taxed? Resentful?  Bone dry at the core? How would your kids, your spouse, and your co-workers answer those questions of you?  Is a renovation of the soul long overdue?   

This week, may you experience His grace, peace, and protection.

R. Dwight Hill

1 – Credit Roland Rolheiser with this key idea; “The Holy Longing” – Doubleday, 1999, pg. 67;  2  Gustavo Gutierrez,  “We Drink from Our Own Wells” - Maryknoll, N. Y., Orbis, 1984.

Facts of the Matter © 2000 - 2011 R. Dwight Hill - www.factsofthematter.org - Unlimited permission to copy without altering text or profiteering is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.