I read a story in a recent
devotional about a woman whose heart developed severe disease when she was in
her early 40’s. She wanted desperately to live a long life with her husband, see
their children grown and married, and perhaps even be blessed with
grandchildren, but her heart just wasn’t strong enough.
Then one day a young man was killed in a traffic accident and the woman took a call from the transplant center. They had a match for her! She received a new heart and went on to live many more happy years, thanks to the young man’s selfless decision to be an organ donor.
As Christians, we can relate to this woman’s experience! In Ezekiel 36:26 we read, “I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart.”
When we desire to turn away from our life of sin, failures, and unrest, and want to find forgiveness and the power to follow Jesus, God gives us a heart transplant! Where does this new heart come from? Who is the donor? It is Jesus, who gave His life on the cross so that we can have new life!
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].”
Everyone sins. Everyone’s spiritual heart is diseased. Everyone needs a transplant. The good news is that Jesus, our donor, is ready to give us that new heart! There is no waiting list. Everyone is a match!
Have you asked Him to take your stubborn heart of stone and to give you a heart for Him alone? Heaven’s transplant center is calling!
Be encouraged!
©2023 Pamela D. Williams.
