An Educated Heart
A man who had lived a lot of years and dealt with a lot of people once said, “A thoughtful person, someone who does nice things for other persons, has an educated heart.” That really struck a responsive chord in my mind. It not only makes sense, humanly speaking, but it is biblical.
We are not born being thoughtful. It is a trait that must be cultivated. Contrary to popular misunderstanding, it is not more natural, easier, for some people to be thoughtful than it is for others. It takes deliberate effort on anyone’s part.
But it is a blessing to be a thoughtful person, to have “an educated heart.” It is a blessing to others, to be sure. It is also a blessing to the doer. Our Lord said, “Give, and it shall be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over.” (Luke 6:38)
We have a responsibility as Christians to be thoughtful people. It is an essential part of Christian love, which is self-denying, other-serving love. I believe this is what the Apostle Paul had in mind when, in his letter to the Ephesians he says, “And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, JUST AS GOD IN CHRIST ALSO HAS FORGIVEN YOU! (Eph. 4:42)
Are you a thoughtful person? Do you have an “educated heart?”
Written by Dr. James Van Dyke for The John Ankerberg Show, ©1999.
