How does your heart know God?
We can easily take how we perceive, experience, and know the Lord for granted. Our mind knows God in one capacity–and our heart knows Him in another. In this encounter, we will invite God to lead us toward a greater understanding of how we have known Him in the past—and how He might be inviting us to plunge even deeper into a personal relationship with Him.
* * *
Come in. Take a deep breath. And another.
Empty your hands. Place them open on your lap. Roll your shoulders and your wrists. Close your eyes and let Jesus remind you of this truth: I am here; I am always with you. I go before you and never leave you.
Get settled–and then contemplate the verse below. Give to God your every concern and realize his presence with you now:
“Surrender your anxiety.
Be still and realize that I am God.
I am God above all the nations,
and I am exalted throughout the whole earth” (Psalm 46:10).
Lord, I surrender…..
Help me be still….help me experience you now….
A beautiful song called “Head to the Heart” by United Pursuit illustrates one’s “head to heart” journey of deepening relationship with God. Spend some time with the song’s lyrics, printed lower on this page, and engage in a conversation with the Father or Jesus. Trust where God leads you as you consider how the lyrics feel inviting, challenging, unappealing, or inspiring. Tell God about it. And listen to his response. You might want to write down the conversation in your journal.
Next, consider the following scripture:
“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth” (Hosea 6:3, ESV).
As we consider what it means to “know” and “press on to know the Lord,” how does your head know God vs. your heart? Who is God to you? How have you experienced him in your life?
In your journal, write words or draw images to describe three (or less or more–you choose how many!) experiences or memories or ideas that represent who God is to you. Ask God to steer your ideas. Trust him. Some questions to consider: Whom are you talking to when you pray? Whom are you picturing when you worship? Where is God when you talk to him–and where are you (what do you picture in your imagination)?
If a single word–like an adjective–pops into your mind to describe God, try to keep going in your thinking, imagining, and remembering. Go deeper. Share an experience you’ve had with that quality of his.
Surrender to God your ideas–your imagination–and your heart as he leads you in this contemplation of knowing him more.
From the Head to the Heart
by United Pursuit
I open up to You
This love that makes me new
Oh, may my heart receive
This love that carries me
From the head to the heart
You take me on a journey
Of letting go
And getting lost in You
From the head to the heart
You take me on a journey
Of letting go
And getting lost in You
My heart is open wide
I will receive your light
You give me faith like a child
In you, my heart runs wild
'Cause there's no shame
In looking like a fool
When I give You what I can't keep
To take a hold of You
There's no shame
In looking like a fool
When I give You what I can't keep
To take a hold of You
More than words, more than good ideas
I found Your love in the open fields
More than words, more than good ideas
I found Your love in the open fields
More than words, more than good ideas I found Your love in the open fields
More than words, more than good ideas
I found Your love in the open fields
From the head to the heart
You take me on a journey
Of letting go
And getting lost in You
From the head to the heart
You take me on a journey
Of letting go
And getting lost in You
There's no shame
In looking like a fool
When I give You what I can't keep
To take a hold of You
There's no shame
In looking like a fool
When I give You what I can't keep
To take a hold of You (and take a hold of You)
And take a hold of You, no
And take a hold of You
And take a hold of You
