Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken

I think people get the wrong idea sometimes. Everyone’s favorite scripture seems to be “guard your heart”. Now, you certainly don’t want to give your heart to somebody who is going to put it in the garbage disposal or “give your pearls to the swine”. But I think people oftentimes take this verse way too far and play things way too safe.

I think people get the wrong idea in the other direction as well. A lot of people seem to think that if they take a risk they will be rewarded. This is not necessarily true. A risk is – by definition – risky. If it were not risky, it would not be a risk. You may take a risk and end up with a wonderful reward. You might also fall flat on your face and wind up looking like an idiot.

There is no guarantee that just because you do something challenging, things will work out in your favor.  As a matter of fact, you may find yourself in worse condition than when you began. It’s like taking a high dive from higher up. Your dive could end up looking spectacular.  You might also land on your head.

Because of this, it is very understandable if someone chooses the protect-your-heart-at-all-costs route. Chances are that this person has good reasons from his/her past to take this approach. This person is a singles and doubles hitter and there is something to be said for consistency and stable returns.

A low-risk/low-reward lifestyle could produce better results than the more volatile high-risk/high-reward approach. This person swings for the fences and has a good chance of striking out. However, there is that chance of connecting and hitting a home run. I admire people who take this kamikaze approach. You may get shot down, but it will be one heck of a ride in the process.

I think that part of the reason I admire the latter approach is because it is the approach that God takes with us. As one Rich Mullins song puts it, there is a recklessness about God. A wildness. A danger. He sings, “Here I’m tested and made worthy… Tossed about but lifted up…In the reckless raging fury that they call the love of God”. He does whatever it takes in our lives to mold us into the people He wants us to become. And it often involves pain so deep that you’re not sure how you’ll be able to make it.

But as the old formula goes, me + God = enough. As one song puts it, God is more than enough for all our thirsts and all our needs. He satisfies me with His love. When our hearts falter, God is still there. And He is all we need.

Here, I truly am tested and made worthy. Tossed about, but lifted up in the reckless raging fury that they call the love of God.

Category: Musings