The Journey of the Spiritual Heart

The word "journey" is probably one of the most overused words that I have heard used (and have personally used ad nauseum) in religious circles. It is something that we often wear as a badge of honor.. don't you dare criticize my journey. With 2008 knocking on our doors I was thinking about this idea of journey and thought of these verses out of Proverbs:
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel." (12:15)

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (14:12)

"All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives." (16:2)

"Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts." (21:2)
There is a word that is used in each of these verses.. it is the word "way" and is translated from this Hebrew word:
derek (deh'-rek): From darak; way, road, distance, journey, manner, road, way, path, journey, direction, manner, habit, way, of course of life (fig.), of moral character (fig.)
Journey seems a good fit for these verses.. try substituting it for "way" and reread the verses. I find it interesting that these words speak negatively about this word journey. Looking at the verses it is obvious that:
  • Our journey can be foolish if we walk it alone. We need the help of others to walk out a wise journey.

  • Our journey is all about the inner life. Being successful on our journey is all about our motives.

  • Our journey can lead to some dark places (i.e. death) if we live it from our flesh.. our minds.. our emotions.. our lusts.

  • Our journey is not about those things we see but about those things that can only be discerned with our spiritual hearts.
This last bullet is the one that can be so difficult. So often our journey is fraught with fear, pain and other negative influences.. during these times it is so easy to allow these things to shut our hearts down.. so easy to allow the things that we see with our outer eye to overshadow those things that can only be seen with our inner eye.

In this time when many of us are considering 2007 and thinking of 2008 maybe we can resolve to live more fully this journey of our spiritual heart.. possibly relying less on our earthly/brainy wisdom.. possibly leaning more into our spiritual hearts.. and maybe we will begin to see the journey through the inner eyes of redemption. It is my prayer for you and for me.

13 comments:

  1. This is so good. I am linking here today.

    That's me over there in your side bar in Laguna Niguel. Very cool gadget!

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  2. You and all of your readers are invited to participate in my brand new weekly blog carnival, The Seventh Day.

    This post in particular would be a WONDERFUL contribution to the Carnival. (Hint, hint.)

    The details are available at On the Horizon.

    Hope you will participate!

    Hopeful Spirit
    On the Horizon

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  3. I have been seeing life as a journey for many years. There came a point a few years ago when I recognised FREEDOM AND LIBERATION FROM THE SLAVERY OF LEGALISM. But it was still 'head knowledge' and very little 'heart awareness' until about 2 years ago (I'm 72 now).
    I have just rewritten the introduction to my web site. It is entitled, "Something of my journey away from traditional thinking"

    Others are encouraging me to share my thoughts, but I'm not convinced yet that blogging in the normal sense is the right way for me. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

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  4. I hope you had a great Christmas. We all had a good Christmas, we even received a Christmas potato. If you are not familiar with this tradition check the link on my blog.

    being in Kansas you should know this.

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  5. hi Bob, may you have a blessed 2008!

    I like your idea and discussion of a journey of our spiritual heart. And as you wrote, it is a journey through the inner eye of redemption.

    soli deo gloria.

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  6. Great post, Bob. This really sheds so much more light on these verses. Thanks so much for posting this.

    May your New Year be blessed in HIM!
    Susan

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  7. Bob, you said unless one adamantly says that the Father and the Holy Spirit are the same.. in which case the baptism of Jesus doesn't make sense.. to me anyway :)

    I left a question for you on my blog comments section.

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  8. I like these kinds of posts, where Scripture is linked together through a word so that we can more easily meditate on what we're being taught. I would hope that I would be *drawn* on the journey along the Way not by deciding things, but by praying/listening, trusting, learning, and giving up my will for His in many small things.

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  9. Blessings in the new year, Bob. May it be a blessed journey for you.

    I like this idea. It's akin to how our "story" connects with God's story. That's a journey full of blessings!!

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  10. Gostei muito desse post e seu blog é muito interessante, vou passar por aqui sempre =) Depois dá uma passada lá no meu site, que é sobre o CresceNet, espero que goste. O endereço dele é http://www.provedorcrescenet.com . Um abraço.

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  11. I knew I could count on you, Bob, to launch my new year with wisdom to carry with me. How is your family?

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  12. Journey is on the road to Clichedom, I think. It's concrete in a way that "way" is abstract. Whenever I think journey, I will substitute way and keep the heart and mind on the road of the spirit. Thanks for this post.

    I'm here via The Seventh Day.

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