Written on Our Hearts

Introduction to Written On Our Hearts

I’m passionate about discipleship. I love seeing people become disciples of Christ, and I love seeing them grow into maturity. The good news is a disciple’s life is a process and grace is abundant. I wholeheartedly believe that discipleship is more about the heart than it is perfection. Even though maturity takes time, there is something to be said about being pointed in the right direction.

In my own discipleship process, I was pointed in the right direction by being challenged to look at the difference between eternal and temporal things. I believe this principle is foundational to every disciple and is a, if not the, game changer in our lives. It changes everything—the way we use our time; how we manage money; the relationships we form; how we dress, eat, raise our kids, etc…. In the process of discipleship we are learning to live with an eternal perspective. We have opportunities everyday to lay down our temporary lives and carry Christ’s eternal life, or let Christ live through us.

The idea to write this series started with a dream (a literal one) I had one night. In the dream I was observing a worship service. The lady leading worship was singing the words I will not be defined by temporary circumstances. I understood in the dream that she was singing about Rahab the Harlot—perhaps it was even Rahab leading worship.

So, I began to study about Rahab. It was clear early on that she was not defined by her temporary circumstances—she was more than prostitute. She had heard of an eternal God, his works, his ways, and she believed. Eternally, Rahab is a woman of faith, citizen of Israel, and in the very bloodline of Jesus. What if Rahab had let her life and reputation keep her from believing and assisting the work of the Lord?

Shortly after I had this dream and started studying, I felt like the Lord asked me to write about Rahab, and then Ruth, and then Michal, and finally Mary. Specifically, I was to write about the contrasts between the temporary and eternal in each of their lives. This subject has been burning in my heart ever since. My prayer is that the eternal details of the lives of these women encourage us to see past our temporary circumstances, whether they are devastating, mediocre, or ideal, and look for the eternal details God has written on our hearts.

Ecclesiastes 3:11, He has made everything beautiful in its time…he has put eternity into man’s heart.

First Up: Rahab the Prostitute

Links to the Written on Our Hearts Series:

• Rahab the Prostitute: Got Labels? and That Prostitute is My Grandma
• Ruth: Hang On and Woven and Spun Part One and Woven and Spun Part Two
• Michal: The Daughter of Saul
• Bathsheba: Unwise Decisions
• Mary, The Mother of Jesus: Even Virgins Need to be Redeemed
• You: Your Turn, a future and a hope