Change your heart in 2016

Reflecting upon the new year 2016, now into its third month, the words “heart change” come into my mind — a heart change in me, that is.

Without a doubt, I needed some dark areas — unresolved issues — cleaned up within my heart for a closer relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Knowing that change only comes from God, I called upon him to make a change within me.

God knows our dark areas, and he desires to cleanse and make us new so that we can live a more fulfilling, satisfying life in and through him. Perhaps you, too, realize that you need a heart change in this new year.

The almighty God, the maker of heaven and Earth, came to this Earth to serve, not to be served, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45) He healed the sick, fixed the brokenhearted, opened blind eyes, loved the unlovable and spoke words of truth, love and life.

And there is still more about Jesus: He never takes his eyes off us. He loves us deeply and cheers us on, and calls out to us to come to him with our dark areas — our hurts, anger, illness, addictions, family issues. He desires to come along side us so that we do not have to do this life, this 2016, all alone. He waits for our permission.

Can anything top the following about Jesus? “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) If he will do all these extraordinary things for us, then he can certainly do a heart change in us, too.

If all of the above is still not convincing enough for you, then digest Jeremiah 9:24, “But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the Earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Here Jesus is telling us to believe him for who he says he is, the Lord.

Believing who the Lord is comes from diligently studying his word (our final authority) and from steadfastly praying, which results in a close personal relationship with him. In walking with the Lord, we become intensely aware of dark areas that are lurking within the heart. Studying the scriptures and praying opens us up! We can then ask the Lord, “Create in me a clean heart, O God …” Psalms 51:10

Maybe you have some dark areas lurking within your heart. Or perhaps you need a total heart change, a transformation. That decision is between you and God.

Ask him to reveal himself to you and to give you a heart change as you continue in 2016. Then watch him go to work in you.

This story was originally published March 5, 2016 at 6:48 AM with the headline "Change your heart in 2016."