Diamond Hearts
Right off the heels of a sub-par midterm in Geography, I have already found a concept that I won’t forget after leaving the final exam in December. There are three types of rocks on the globe, differing kinds, but three types. One type is igneous rock, a second called sedimentary rock. The third is called metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rocks are either igneous or sedimentary rock that has gone through major physical or chemical changes under pressure and high temperature. Metamorphic rocks include slate, marble and diamonds. The process makes for a strong visual. Imagine a rock, one of those ugly, grey ones being physically altered, placed under extreme heat and coming up with a diamond on the other end.
Scripture speaks about the ‘heart’ a lot, and I can’t help but wonder if the rock to diamond process is true for the strongest muscle in our body. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened by God (Exodus), the Israelites hardened their hearts toward God in the desert (Hebrews 3), the apostle Paul served God with his ‘whole heart’ (Romans 1) and Jesus commands we do the same as Paul (Matthew 22). We all have something that we are ‘hardened’ and ‘cold’ to. After my midterm yesterday, I see a direct parallel towards the heart of humankind.
How else can a heart of stone be changed? It needs to be put through intense pressure and ‘heat’ before it becomes what it should be. There are many people with stone hearts. They let the public know through their words, attitudes and actions. But metamorphism is possible, a change of heart is possible. It just takes some pain and stress. Not the best way to sell the concept, but nothing that’s worth having in this life comes easy.
A heart cannot be forcibly put into a straining process, it’s a choice. How can someone follow Jesus’ command of loving the Lord with all our hearts if they’re stone cold? We give our heart to God, then He works on it. Sensitive and fragile, the Lord adds pressure, heat and other kinds of processes to change it. As the pain subsides, we are left with a different muscle than the one we started with. One ready to forgive, quick to serve, slow to anger, able to let go, seeking ways to remain intact.
I want a diamond heart.
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