I mentioned in my last post that one of my New Year's resolution was to do scripture study by topic instead of just reading straight through. I feel like sharing the little insight I had the other night, because I have a blog and I can. I found myself studying the topic of having a broken heart. I had started by looking up scriptures on the topic of being meek and a meandering scripture path led me to reading about a broken heart.
In Mormonism (and perhaps other religions, I'm not sure), I think we hear the phrase "a broken heart and contrite spirit" quite often as something we should have. It has been explained to me in the past that it means to be obedient and repentant. As I was reading the other night, I kept thinking why did the Lord choose the term "broken heart?" When I read that, I think, "I don't want a broken heart, I've had one more than once in my life and it hurts!" Then a simple thought came to my mind, "What does it mean to break in something?" This is what I came up with:
Think of a new pair of shoes. In my mind, I think of hiking boots, since I like hiking. All experienced hikers know it is unwise to wear brand new hiking boots for a 12 mile or even 2 mile hike. You will come back with some insane blisters and sore feet. You have to break them in first. Wear them around the house, then a walk around the block and so forth until the boots are less stiff and more flexible, the material is softer and easier to mold. With this in mind, it is no wonder to me that we describe a worn out stuffed animal or a worn out article of clothing as "well-loved."
Now when I read the pharse "broken heart" in these verses, in my mind I think "a broken in heart." A heart that is soft and flexible, a heart that has been worn with compassion and caring and a heart that doesn't give others blisters. I must be honest after considering all this another little thought came to my mind, which was that my heart needs some breaking in.
Think of a new pair of shoes. In my mind, I think of hiking boots, since I like hiking. All experienced hikers know it is unwise to wear brand new hiking boots for a 12 mile or even 2 mile hike. You will come back with some insane blisters and sore feet. You have to break them in first. Wear them around the house, then a walk around the block and so forth until the boots are less stiff and more flexible, the material is softer and easier to mold. With this in mind, it is no wonder to me that we describe a worn out stuffed animal or a worn out article of clothing as "well-loved."
Now when I read the pharse "broken heart" in these verses, in my mind I think "a broken in heart." A heart that is soft and flexible, a heart that has been worn with compassion and caring and a heart that doesn't give others blisters. I must be honest after considering all this another little thought came to my mind, which was that my heart needs some breaking in.
Great ideas Jannifer, breaking in our heart. I also think having the broken hearts helps us to be more understanding of others and their pains, and of course of our Savior, whose heart was the most broken of all.
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