The heart that pumps
Science tells us that the human heart is a muscular organ about the size of a closed fist. The heart keeps us alive by functioning like a circulatory pump, taking deoxygenated blood through our veins to our lungs, where it is filled with oxygen and pumped into our arteries. Our arteries are then charged with the very important task of bringing the oxygenated blood to our tissues daily.
Once our heart is functioning as it is designed to function, we would enjoy good health that can be characterized (but not limited to) as follows:
- Normal blood pressure 120/80
- An energetic feeling
- Healthy heart rate (70 to 80 beats per minute)
- Even breathing, you should be breathing comfortably even if you were to start jogging.
- The ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
- The ability to perform physical activities
- A steady heart beat with no murmurs.
I think it is amazing what happens in the heart daily, to ensure we stay alive. We move about every day, running about, here, there, and everywhere and many times we do not stop to think about the condition of our hearts and keeping it healthy.
The physical heart vs. the spiritual heart (our spiritual condition determines our behavior).
Let’s get deeper, let us talk about the unseen heart that is manifested through our behaviour and attitudes; the seat of our will, motives and moral persuasions. I was motivated to get deeper after listening to a message one Sunday morning entitled “Hearts and Minds”. I wanted to better understand the status of “the inner me”, my spiritual condition. I felt the need to have my heart examined because I desire to have a healthy heart.
Jeremiah 17:9 says “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?” Do you think this is going too far, I mean, aren’t we better than that? Well, these are words of the Almighty God so “it is what it is”, we are who we are. I am sure, if you stop and think for a while, you would ask yourself, why is man so bent on doing what is wrong? Why do we pursue the very same thing that can destroy us? Why do we steal from hard working men and women? Why do we frame others when we know they are innocent; why do we pretend so we could look good in the eyes of others? I think we have enough evidence that the word of God is true.
It is important for us to admit to the true condition of our hearts, if we must grow and experience change. I love this verse; Proverbs 4:23 – It says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” KJV or “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” NIV. I love this, it says so much.
Guard your heart? Should I walk around with a mini-sword hiding under my clothes to protect my heart? The word of God is speaking of taking intentional steps to keep, protect and preserve our hearts, the seat of our will, from which the issues of life emanate. It is necessary to point out however, that we are not meant to guard our hearts on our own, we are enabled by God himself; he makes it possible.
To be continued……
