“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what’s in your heart.”
Luke 6:45
Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:
- In this portion of “The Sermon on the Plain,” as told by the Gospel Writer called Luke, Jesus instructs his followers about practicing integrity.
- Jesus is a master teacher and wayshower because he continually demonstrated his infinite trust in and connection with God. He lived an engaged spirituality, sharing God’s grace and goodwill so the people around him could realize ease and peace in their lives, even in difficult circumstances.
- Jesus demonstrated his integrity by loving others, even when they didn’t agree with him. He recognized them as one of God’s beloveds.
- As Jesus teaches, a good person is aligned with God. All their actions and choices flow from this constant connection. Their heart may be filled with benevolence, patience, and understanding, for instance. An evil person, in comparison, isn’t aligned with God. Their actions and choices show this Their heart, for example, may be filled with condemnation, greed, and hostility.
- Spiritual integrity is deep, authentic self-awareness which lives in our hearts. It requires characteristics of:
- accountability;
- honesty;
- humility;
- personal responsibility; and
- self-compassion.
- Many people can feel an inner assurance from acting with integrity, like returning money when they’re overpaid, and an inner discomfort when they don’t.
- As you develop your spiritual integrity, you may realize a guiding vision for your life, with a deep awareness that you’re connected to something greater than yourself.You also may feel an inner motivation and passion to contribute generously to the world’s greater good, as many spiritual masters do.
- When your spiritual integrity is fully aligned, you embrace both our divinity and humanity, recognizing them within others also. You stop condemning or judging others because you’re focused on your own behavior.
- Demonstration is your evidence of what is or isn’t working in your life. You demonstrate spiritual integrity when your words and actions are congruent, often evident by a sense of heart-felt gratitude and contentment.
- When you’re in spiritual integrity, you’re a living example of God’s beneficence, just as Jesus was. You walk your talk.
Contemplation Questions:
As you reflect on your life and circumstances, ask yourself:
- What am I storing in the treasury of my heart?
- Without judgment, list, word map, or illustrate whatever you’re storing.
- In what ways am I accountable and accepting of personal responsibility?
- List, word map, or illustrate all the ways.
- In what ways am I honest with myself and others?
- List, word map, or illustrate all the ways.
- In what ways am I humble, open-minded, and teachable?
- List, word map, or illustrate all the ways.
- In what ways do I grant myself grace and compassion?
- List, word map, or illustrate all the ways.
- When I contemplate the treasury of my heart, what are at least three (3) ways I can be more aligned with God?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as you can imagine.
- Then, note what you’ll do to create that alignment.
- When I contemplate the treasury of my heart, what are at least three (3) ways I can demonstrate greater personal and spiritual integrity?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as you can imagine.
- Then, note what you’ll do to put it into practice.
As you work with this devotional, be gentle with yourself, forgiving of your mistakes and shortcomings. Remind yourself that your goal isn’t perfection. It’s to align yourself more fully, every day, with God and the goodness and grace within you as one of God’s beloveds. Let your heart be your guide, so you can feel more confidence and ease as you practice your faith by walking your talk.
© 2023 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.
Photo by DFAagaard from Shutterstock.
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