Open-heart

The heart has chambers

Physically, four. Ironically, an atrium—in this case, as a literal room—is open to the sky. The heart's atria, however, are the two upper chambers. The ventricles, the two lower. None of which should in any way be compromised physically by a breach in their respective walls or ceilings. That wouldn't be a good thing.

"With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments." (Psalm 119:10)

God aims for us to bring everything we notice to Him, to "acknowledge Him" in all our ways (Proverbs 3:5-6). This is a tall order and I find that many of my ways of interaction and comportment have been forged over the years to be done without thinking. As second nature. Forgive my forwardness here, but how much of the minutae of our day, of our heart, do we take to God in some way, shape, form, or vestige of "acknowledgement"? We may do everything in a state of "second nature" but we have a new nature now. As God has given us a brand new heart (yes) upon accepting Jesus, we'd do well to fill it with only those things that have been blessed and scrutinized by God.

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." (Psalm 119:11)

That's the one. Throughout human history, God has been speaking. He spoke initially and I don't believe He's ever silent. If we can't hear Him, it's probably because our heart is attuned to another wavelength. The thing here is, God spoke through every author that's featured in the anthology entitled "The Holy Bible". And He's speaking to you. Out of the thousands of verses and hundreds upon hundreds of chapters straddling the strata of life, God's Word is a literal love letter—to you. A love letter. I used to think that statement was corny and contrived. I don't anymore. Every thing recorded therein is meant to draw you to Him. To fill your heart and paint a picture of the Living Word, Jesus Christ. Check it out if you feel so inclined. It's one book whose author is ever-present when reading.

Auricles/Oracles

"If any man (or woman) speak, let him speak as the oracles of God..." (1 Peter 4:11)

Auricle is an older name for atrium. Whereas the word "auricle" derives etymologically from the same Latin root that gives rise to "ear", "oracle" on the other hand comes from a root meaning "to speak". They might be homophones but they're also (almost) antonyms. I digress. Peter, in the above verse, is talking about the things we proclaim in church. Because God is still speaking through His children, it behooves us to stay connected, to stay attuned to the same wavelength as He. This will ensure the things that we speak line up with what He already said in His Word.

"Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not desire; mine ears hast Thou opened..." (Psalm 40:6)

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

"He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Revelation 3:22)

What is God speaking to you? Through you? Find the words and verses and passages that speak directly to your heart and hang everything else you hear on those pegs. What speaks to your heart may speak to another's in a different way, maybe even in a different translation. The point is, God is speaking. Just make sure what you hear is from His heart. Out of all the noise in the world today, listen for God's "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:12). Is your heart open to the sky?

"From the heart it has sprung, to the heart it shall penetrate." Ludwig van Beethoven

Latchkey

For God's Sake Only part 1