H.E.A.R.

I’m conducting an experiment.  I got this idea from a book I reviewed recently, Disciple Her, by Kandi Gallaty.  She recommended a journaling technique I’m trying out as part of my own spiritual discipline.  It’s based on the acronym H.E.A.R.  So far, I’ve been doing well, using the verse from my daily devotional as a starting point.  Here is one of my first tries:

Highlight:

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.”  Romans 12:10

Explain:

The apostle Paul is speaking to the believers in the Roman church.  After setting forth the basics of faith in Christ, he here moves on to practical application — in this instance, how we as believers should behave as members of Christ’s body.  Church members should love one another as family, sacrificially, always being willing to put the needs of others first.

Apply (generally and specifically):

These verses apply to believers today as well.  How can we love outsiders into our fellowship if we are not sincerely devoted to one another in a close, loving way?  Without sacrificial love, we are in danger of turning into a religious “club”– simply a group of people who adhere to a particular philosophy of life.  This means I must love all of my fellow members this way.  I must listen carefully and respectfully to their opinions, and do my best to understand and meet their needs.

Respond:

Heavenly Father, I ask for your help.  It is difficult for me to put others first, because I like having things go my way.  Sometimes I feel angry, or hurt or unappreciated. I often become irritable when my routines are disrupted.  Show me how to put those feeling aside and do what’s best for others, even the others who seem unlikeable.  Help me to love my fellow members sacrificially by reminding me of the example Jesus, who lived and died for me.

Amen.

If anyone else decided to give this journaling method a try, I would love to hear from you.  God loves you and so do I!