As pockets of clouds
drifted across the clear night sky,
the moon, at its fullest
continued to reflect
hope and promise
in each passing moment,
inspiring hope and promise
with each passing thought.
What is,
what would be,
what could be,
beholden to One,
the only One.
There is I Am.

The response to the Psalm for the Third Sunday of Lent is, “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.” (Ps 95:8). What does a hardened heart look like? Physically, it is one in which arteries may be clogged, or the lining may be thickening, to name a couple attributes. Overall though, it is a heart that is blocked in one way or another from working optimally or as designed. Spiritually, a hardened heart is also blocked in one way or another from working fully, as intended by God.

So how does one recognize a hardened heart? Well, as with many things, there are indicators as well as tests that can alert one to the status of their heart. And in faith, the directions always start at the beginning. “If today you hear God’s voice…”

What does God’s voice look, or sound like to you? What adjectives would you use to describe God?

Now, taking Light to life, what happens when you try to assign those same adjectives to describe the heart behind your words and actions throughout the day, the week, and more? In what situations do they fit? And in what situations, is there an invitation for greater growth and movement toward taking on the heart of Jesus?

A Lenten Prayer:
Heart of Jesus, open our eyes and ears.
Heart of Jesus, show us what our hearts are looking past.
Heart of Jesus, help us to acknowledge what is, what would be, what could be.
Heart of Jesus, guide us in your way.
Heart of Jesus, bind our hearts to yours.