Taken from – Waking The Dead by John Eldredge
A few of us were sitting around last week talking about the gospel, what it really promises and what it means for our lives. I was trying to make the case that the new convenant means nothing less than this: the heart is good. I was surprised to hear the protests from most of my friends, who are deeply committed followers of Jesus and who have walked with him for years. “What? That can’t be! I’ve never hear that…ever.” I know. Neither had I. But it’s undeniable: the new convenant, accomplished through the work of Christ, means that we have a new heart. Now listen to Jesus:
Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, … (Luke 6:44-45, emphasis added)
The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:15, emphasis added)
Our hearts have been circumcised to God. We have knew hearts. Do you know what that means? Your heart is good. This is the last thing the Enemy wants the world to know. It would change everything. Those of you who’ve gotten your hearts back know exactly what I mean. It’s freedom. It’s life.
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“Have you no daughters?” “No,” said the man. “There is a little stunted kitchen wench which my late wife left behind her, but she cannot be the bride.” The King’s son said he was to send her up to him; but the step-mother answered, “Oh no, she is much too dirty, she cannot show herself!” But he absolutely insisted on it, and Cinderella had to be called. She first washed her hands and face clean, and then went and bowed down before the King’s son, who gave her the golden slipper. Then she seated herself on a stool, drew her foot out of the heavy wooden shoe, and put it into the slipper, which fit like a glove. And when she rose up and the King’s son looked at her face, he recognized the beautiful maiden who had danced with him and cried, “This is the true bride!” The step-mother and two sisters were horrified and became pale with rage; he, however, took Cinderella on his horse and rode away with her.
I love this part of the story–to see the heroine unveiled in all her glory. To have her, finally, rise up to her full height. Mocked, hated, laughed at, spit upon–Cinderella is the one the slipper fits; she’s the one the prince is in love with; she’s the true bride. Just as we are. We, the ransomed church, are the bride of the King’s Son, are we not? “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb” (Rev. 21:9). We’ve been chosen by him. We are the object of his love. “You have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes” (Song 4:9). This fairy tale is true. I love it that in this passage from the original “Cinderella,” the king’s son insisted she comes out of hiding. Though her family would keep her in the cellar, he’ll have none of that. Come out. You are mine now. Let your light shine before men.
You probably can’t imagine there being a glory in your life, let alone ont that the Enemy fears. But remember–things are not what they seem. We are not what we seem. You probably believed that your heart was bad too. I pray that fog of poison gas from the pit of hell is fading away in the wind of God’s truth. And there is more. Not only does Christ say to you that your hear is good, he invites you now out of the shadows to unveil your glory. You have a role you never dreamed of having.
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I epsecially like the Cinderella analogy because I think it speaks straight to the heart of every woman. We have all felt like the step-sister banished to the cellar. We have all felt ugly and dirty and unwanted; undesirable. But God does not see us that way. That identity is a lie from the Enemy that we have all been chained to in some way. But out true identity is the bride of Christ! We are chosen, sought out, desired, and cherished. Our prince went to great lengths to bring us out of that darkness, because He see our true beauty. The glory of God in us.
He brings us out of dirt and darkness, cleans us up and teaches us how to shine. I want every one to know that this is truth! This is who we are!
God has given me my heart back, and it is good. I am free! I am alive in Christ!
