What moves your heart?

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  –Ezekiel 26:36 (NIV)
 
When we begin following Jesus Christ, he shapes for us new hearts—just as God promised for Israel. These new hearts move more like God’s heart. They are not, however, all shaped alike. They still reflect our God-created and God-anointed individuality. Notice when you view tough situations—sometimes your heart is moved, deeply. Notice also—sometimes it isn’t.
 
But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.  –1Corinthians 12:18-20 (NIV)
 
You see, we’re all created for good works. But, as individuals, we aren’t created for every work. We couldn’t possibly be. We’re all called to help those in need. But, as individuals, we aren’t called to every need. Near his death, St. Francis of Assisi prayed for his fellow friars: “I have done what is mine to do. May Christ teach you what is yours.”
 
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  –Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
 
The movements of our new hearts are one way God teaches us what is ours. For our hearts are made to notice, to care, to move more for certain people and certain needs: when their needs are met, our hearts are satisfied; when they aren’t, our hearts hurt with their hearts. Here’s the good part—when we become aware of the movements of our new hearts, and begin working ourselves to meet the needs of people who are ours to help, we increase not only their joy, but ours too.
 
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  –Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
 
Okay, so what do we do?
Continue to bend your focus away from yourself, brother. Take some time to consider your heart. Can you identify the particular people and particular needs for which it moves, uniquely?
 
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  –Luke 6:38 (NIV)
 
(This message was adapted from a Facebook post published by my brother in Christ, Stan Chesser. For more great content from Stan, check out the Convoy Facebook page.)