Welcome Others: Pursuing The Heart of Those Closest to You

In 1329, Robert The Bruce, one of Scotland’s heroes who fought fiercely for independence died. His final wish was for his heart to be taken on a tour of the Holy Land and presented before God at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. I know, History is strange yet beautifully poetic.

The fulfillment of this dying wish literally fell upon the shoulders of Sir Douglas. Bruce’s heart was embalmed in a metal urn and worn around Douglas’s neck. With plans in place, Sir Douglas and his knights departed for the Holy Land. But a war broke out in Spain, so this band of men were rerouted and so was the heart.

Whilst in Spain, a surprise attack descended upon them. Douglas was mortally wounded. Sensing all was lost, he mustered the strength to throw Bruce’s heart into the heat of the battle. With his last breath he screamed “Lead on brave heart, I’ll follow thee.” Despite the loss of Sir Douglas, his brave knights fought against the odds stacked against them, rescued the heart of Robert the Bruce and fulfilled his dream.

As a follower of Jesus it feels like I am constantly fighting for the heart of those who are closest to me, my family. With a world of distractions, temptations and everything else, it is easy for hearts to drift and before we know it, we are in the heat of the battle fighting for the ones we love. To help combat this, I pray this simple prayer daily “Jesus, Help me pursue the heart of my wife and kids today.”

My prayer is rooted in the challenge that Paul presents to us in Romans 12. “Therefore, I urge you brother and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). A living sacrifice lays down their life daily, chooses others above themselves and lays down their plans to help others with theirs. Jesus put it like this in John 15:13, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Simply praying “Jesus, Help me to pursue the heart of my wife and kids today” – helps me to lay down my life, a living sacrifice in my household. It helps me to focus on their hearts not mine. To focus on their desires not mine. To focus on their needs not mine.

I have to be honest. I don’t always get this right. I can be selfish, focused on my own needs and pout when I don’t get my wants. But when I get it right, it’s beautiful and truly helps our hearts knit together, celebrate dreams fulfilled, but above all causes love to flourish in our home.

So today I offer you a challenge. Pray that simple prayer daily. You don’t have to be married. You don’t have to have kids. The ending is up to you based on your life, but it begins “Jesus, Help me to pursue the heart of ________________ today.”

Then trust the Lord will empower you to live that out.