The Heart of the Matter

John 21:15-17—Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep.”

Do you love Me? That is the question. It is not, “Are you skilled? Are you dynamic, magnetic, energetic, influential, successful?” Praise God the question is not, “Are you sure that you won’t fail Me again?” Hallelujah the question is not: “Do you have any leads on climbing out of recession? Are you quick at making decisions and thinking on your feet? Do others trust you? Are your kids well-behaved? Do you have 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year goals? Can you invent a better mousetrap?”

In a nutshell, qualification for service in the stead of Christ and success in serving in the name of Christ is a matter of love not performance. We seem hardwired to operate out of performance. But love is the litmus paper for Christ. But love is sloppy, vague, elusive and vulnerable. Maybe we are better off if we leave our hearts out of it.

Lord, I will give you my sweat, my tears, my calluses, even my money (or lack thereof)—but don’t ask for my heart. I have no competency in the inner world—my heart is such a mixed bag. After all, love for God doesn’t pay the bills. Love for God doesn’t impress the neighbors. Love for God is often misunderstood, pressed down, despised and in some cases … murdered.

Nevertheless, as You wish, Lord. My heart is Yours—whether or not I linger between mere friendliness for You and genuine love for You. You know my heart entirely already—even when I don’t have a clue. You ask for my love not my results. Though I may be confused, a little scared, or downright terrified, “Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it … seal it for Thy courts above.”