“Dilexit Nos” which I’ve been reflecting on doesn’t shy away from a difficult truth: “the heart is devious above all else.” It reminds me that our inner reality is often hidden behind “foliage”—a sobering thought, but also a call to action.
To “keep your heart with all vigilance,” as the scripture says, means actively choosing authenticity over false appearances. This vigilance is how we protect the precious truth of our belovedness from the lies that would leave us feeling “empty-handed.” As Jeremiah 17:9 states, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” This isn’t a reason to despair, but a reason to stay alert and intentional about living from a place of truth.
How have false appearances or deception hurt your own heart or your relationships with others?
Examine a situation where you might have been tempted to be deceptive. Choose to be truthful, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Smitten With Goodness 