Our Stories Unleashed

God Looks at Our Hearts

I am not a good runner. I never have been a good runner. I’m pretty confident I never will be a good runner. I’ve run on and off for my entire adult life, but I’ve never been fast or competitive or gazelle-like in any way. Yet I continue to run regularly for the discipline, for the conditioning, for the health benefits… and, if I’m honest, because it makes me a happier and nicer person. (You’re welcome.) All those things are benefits I gain simply by trying, even if I never finish first.

It’s nice not having to be the fastest or the best and still being able to enjoy the journey. It’s also nice that God honors our efforts to serve and praise Him, even when don’t do it as well as we could or should.

In 2 Chronicles 29, Hezekiah became king in Jerusalem. He repaired and purified the temple and led the people to worship God. In chapter 30 he invited all the Israelites to come celebrate the Passover with him at the temple. A lot of people didn’t come, but there was a crowd that did accept Hezekiah’s invitation. Of that crowd, many didn’t follow the rules to be ceremonially clean before eating the Passover. When Hezekiah found out they had eaten the Passover meal without being clean, he prayed for them, saying, “Lord God, these people are unclean according to the laws of holiness. But they are worshiping you, just as their ancestors did. So, please be kind and forgive them.” The Lord answered Hezekiah’s prayer and did not punish them (2 Chronicles 30:18-20 CEV).

Did you catch what just happened? Some Israelites came to honor God by celebrating the Passover. They didn’t follow all God’s instructions, but He gladly received what they did give. God kept His promise from 2 Chronicles 7:14 when He told Solomon that if the people would humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways then He would hear from heaven and would forgive and heal them. The people returned to God. They didn’t get everything right, but their hearts were in the right place and that was enough for God.

What a great example for us of what really matters. Even when we miss some of the details, God still accepts the genuine efforts we do make to obey, to serve, to praise. Even better, we all get to celebrate this together (2 Chronicles 30:21). It’s like all of us enjoying the party after crossing the finish line, regardless of who got there first. Well, maybe not exactly like that, but God welcomes us when we truly seek Him and that’s worth celebrating.

I’ll keep making efforts to improve my running. Fortunately my Finisher medals don’t record my place or my pace. Those of us at the back of the pack just get to enjoy a little more time on the course. - Kathy Raines, Minister of Administration