Heart…
If you track the journey of Jesus and his sayings throughout his proclamation of the Kingdom, you can see how they adapt to his crowd. In the rural hills among the working class of Galilee you get parables about farming, carpentry, and common life. Then, as the narrative approaches Jerusalem, the parables begin to switch more towards wealth and religious tradition. It culminates in his final speech to the crowds before he withdraws to be with his disciples, to prepare them leading into his anointing and crucifixion. In this last speech to the crowds, much of the storytelling of the parables that had been used up to that moment is dropped as he goes straight to the point. Many people know this final address to the crowds by its traditional name, the “Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees”.
These woes tend to focus on greed and primarily the religious observance of the law without obeying the heart behind the law. He calls the religious elites out for looking good by following the rules while not obeying the actual purposes of the rules. In one example, he calls out the Pharisees for their amazing offerings while they neglect justice, mercy, and faithfulness. While it is easy to secretly judge these religious elite reading about it thousands of years later, the same things take place today. We get into routines and switch onto autopilot, we shut off our minds and lock up our hearts.
Thankfully, there are things that can help our hearts to regain their connections, we just have to notice them and embrace them. There are beautiful moments and difficult moments that can help our hearts one in the same. The beautiful moments, like when we got the opportunity to take some of our school families to the Bats game earlier this week. With little kids running around smiling and laughing, cotton candy being inhaled, snow-cone syrup dripping from chins, it is impossible to not be reminded of the goodness of God. In the hard moments, when a neighbor, a friend, comes into the thrift shop and is going through a hard time, who confesses they are struggling to see their own self worth, it is impossible to not reconnect our hearts for their sake. It is important to notice these moments and allow them to work upon our hearts.
Whether you find your heart connection in being present in moments like these, or in nature, or prayer or whatever it is for you. It is important that we maintain the connection, not just for us at Love City who are in a challenging environment, but for anyone who follows God, or even just anyone who wants to see our city empowered, uplifted, and united. We can’t let apathy take over. Apathy is the opposite of Love, and if we don’t have Love, then we can’t expect transformation and for others to be able to see the Kingdom that we see.
Ethan
Merriment!!!
Merriment is open for business Thursday and Friday 11am-6pm and Saturday from 11am-4pm. Donations can be dropped off Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am-4pm. If you have any questions or to confirm a drop off time please call (502) 901-1105. We hope to see you soon!! To shop our higher end items online visit our Website or our eBay Page.
Fish Fry OPEN!!!
Stop by the Fish Fry to grab lunch, or bring the family for dinner, or just grab a bite while you check out the new windows!! Churched Up Tots or a Fried Fish Sandwich. However you do it, We’d love to see you!!!
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.