A Change Of Heart
OPENING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, open our hearts with your love to reach out to those who need you most. Amen
“The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink? (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)” John 4:9
REFLECT:
One of my all-time favorite movies is A Christmas Carol. I find so much joy in seeing hearts softened and lives changed. As Ebenezer reflects on his past wrongs, he is burdened to the point of change. In true life, Charles Colson had a similar experience. Colson is described as President Nixon's "hard man, the 'evil genius' who was willing to be ruthless in getting things done”. As Nixon’s ‘hatchet-man’, he was caught up in the Watergate scandal and eventually spent time at Maxwell Correctional Facility. Like Ebenezer, Charles Colson had a redeeming experience while he was incarcerated that turned his life around and sent him on a new path. Later, Colson was quoted in Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Heaven in the Real World" as saying:
“Where is the hope? I meet millions of people who feel demoralized by the decay around us. The hope that each of us has is not in who governs us, or what laws we pass, or what great things we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people. And that's where our hope is in this country. And that's where our hope is in life.”
APPLY:
It’s important to know that no person is too lost for Jesus. If God can change a man like Charles Colson, he can change anyone. As we look around at those who are locked in sin, let your imaginations go and dream of them with a new beginning in Christ. No heart is too hard for God because he is in the life-changing business.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, open our eyes to the lost and show us how we can make a difference. Amen
WORSHIP: