Flexibility of the heart

I was listening to dailyaudiobible.com podcast for Friday 17th.  This was the reading the bible in one year podcast.  I had missed listening to it and was catching up on my way home from the clergy conference.  Brian was talking about Matthew 12:1-15.  He was reading from The Message and there is a verse that Jesus says, "There is far more at stake here than religion.  If you had any idea what this scripture meant--'I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual'--you wouldn't be nitpicking like this."

I was struck by this as during the clergy session we spent a great deal of time talking about how can we unbind the gospel to share with those around us.  I was particularly struck by how often we become of the mindset that if we do what we have always done we will grow and attract others.  Jesus in talking the Pharisees pointed out to them that just doing rituals or traditions for the sake of tradition will not bring people closer to God.  Rather it can be a turn off especially in the changes that have occurred since WWII.  What is important and certainly what I believe is important is the flexibility of the heart.

I am reminded that the Igniting Ministry motto has been "Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds."  If we are going to live to our purpose to make disciple of Jesus Christ to transform the world, we need to live this motto.  This is exactly what Jesus is talking about to those who worship tradition rather than God.  Those who listen to rituals instead of the Holy Spirit.  Who insist that their way is the only way and everyone must conform to what they think.

As we begin this new year, my prayer is that we adopt more of a flexible heart, be of a more open mind to diversity and be willing to open our selves to those around us.  It is not important to always keep doing the things that we have always done just because that is the way we have done it.