From stone to flesh

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Years ago, I was at a retreat reading Ezekiel 36:23-28 where God tells the prophet Ezekiel how He wants to remove his heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh. God tells Ezekiel that He’ll put His Spirit within him and cleanse him from any idols ... the idols being things in the Israelite’s lives that they worshiped and loved more than God.

When I was reading this, I had this image of God taking a giant chisel and hitting my heart to take away some pieces of stone. These “big” hits reminded me of the big conversion moments in my life where I felt God’s presence. Those moments when I knew God was real.

Have you had those moments? I pray you have! They’re often memorable and emotional. God uses these big chisel hits to remind us that He is God and we are not. That He is in control and has a plan. That He is real and He loves us.

After, the image shifted to God taking the same chisel and gently smoothing away bits of stone in my heart. It wasn’t memorable and I couldn’t feel it. Often, I didn’t notice any difference in my heart, but looking back, I noticed that my heart was smoother. Those small bits of stone weren’t there anymore.

These “small” moments reminded me of the everyday decisions to love Jesus, meeting Him in prayer, allowing Him to love me. These “small” moments are just as powerful in allowing God to shape our heart to be His heart.

Often, we want the “big” moments where we can feel God working, and those are good! But often, God is in the everyday, small, mundane moments where God is just gently chiseling away our hearts of stone to replace it with His heart.

See, loving Jesus and being a follower of Jesus isn’t about just becoming a “nice” person. It’s about a total life transformation. God wants to take your own heart which is full of idols, things we place ahead of our love of God, things that take place of God in our lives, and replace it with His Sacred Heart, His perfect heart.

God is also so gentle when it comes to this type of chiseling. I hate the phrase “God had to smack me over the head with a 2 x 4.” God is gentle and kind. Yes, He is just and holy and deserves our whole heart, but He is also alluring and draws us to Him to let Him do the work.

There is a promise in this passage of Ezekiel where God tells Ezekiel, “I will remove the heart of stone. I will put my Spirit within you. I will give you a new heart.” He will do the work. All you have to do is let Him.

Honestly you might be thinking, “Okay, great… how in the heck do I just let Him?”

Fair question. It goes back to the gentle chiseling He does. Show up to daily prayer time with Him. Every day, set aside at least 10 minutes just to be with Him. Talk to Him. Give Him thanks for what He’s done in your life, for what He’s given you. Tell Him what’s on your heart and occupies your mind.

Read Scripture (start in the Gospels and just get to know Jesus!). Sit in silence and see what thoughts pop up in your mind and write them down. Remain faithful to this. I promise He will meet you there — even if you don’t “feel” like anything is happening, He’s taking His divine chisel and smoothing away your heart of stone. When you remain faithful to this relationship, you are letting Him be God! And He will do the work!

Having a daily prayer life has honestly changed my life, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it. God is waiting for you every day; will you meet Him?