And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. – 2 Thessalonians 3:5

I got busted last week. It happened while I was driving my daughter in my car. I don’t remember exactly what I was doing, but I do know whatever it was, it necessitated my steering the car with my left knee… Look, no hands. My daughter, keen in observation, asked: “Why are you driving without your hands?” In re-thinking the moment, of course it was stupid. It’s stupid whenever I do it. Admittedly, my hands are rarely at “10 and 2.” Nevertheless, I certainly don’t want any of my kids (when they eventually start driving) to try and control a car by their knees. But, that’s what I was doing.

Maybe, I was adjusting the radio… with both hands, I guess. Maybe, I was clipping my nails (I have been known to do such a thing. I’m not proud of it. But, I have nail clippers in my car. I do my best to catch the nail clippings in my lap so that upon exiting, all the nails will be deposited onto the street and not in the car). Maybe, I was unwrapping a burrito. Maybe, rich in irony, I was unwinding the hands-free ear buds that attach to my phone so I could talk unimpeded. In any event, my hands were not directing the car. The car, a 1994 Suburban, is no sub-compact. It’s big and heavy. It requires the focused and skilled hands of an aware driver.

Our hearts aren’t much different, I suppose. Most of the time, I’m content to direct my own heart by the whimsy of my desire or the hubris of my own best judgment. But, while an unguided heart can get me a short distance, it marks a significant risk — one greater than I realize. Paul says it this way: the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God. In other words, my heart is in need of being directed by God to God. This is more than mere obedience. It’s about surrender. It’s about our hearts’ greatest need — our utmost desire and destination: love. God’s invitation to us is not simply that we avoid wrongdoing. God’s invitation is to direct us into love — the love of God.

Each week (either on Thursday night or on Sunday morning) we give people a chance to be guided into God’s loving presence. We’ll do it by laughing, singing, praying, embracing each other, learning, and even in mourning together. Who are the people in your life longing for a depth of love they can’t quite name? Maybe, God will use the words of your invitation to help give voice to that gentle and compassionate direction of God upon their hearts. As we continue in our series, TRANSFORmeD, we’ll revisit the idea that love — the love of Jesus —  is what initiates the work of transforming us. Love, after all, is that thing toward which we’re all driving, whether or not we know it.

See you soon,

Jeff