I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the heart, the mind, and strength. Maybe its because of my Enneagram love? Anyway. I believe that each of us tends to go through life with a tendency to focus on one of those areas – heart (emotions), mind (thoughts) or body (actions).

I definitely live in my head. I love new thoughts and ideas, new books, new podcasts. I’ve been learning how to more fully live and love with my heart and strength as well. I recognize that if I am only living and loving out of my mind, it’s not healthy for me or helpful to others.  I’m learning to bring my unpleasant, embarrassing feelings to Jesus AND to bring them to others.  I’m also learning to pay more attention to my body, nourishing it with appropriate food, exercise, and sleep.

Why do we tend to belittle or even demonize one aspect of our personhood? We apologize for our emotions. We treat our bodies like machines.  We avoid thinking through difficult issues, because all we need to do is trust God, right? And we’re not supposed to “lean on our own understanding,” right?

What about elevating one of these aspects to the exclusion of others? We crave worshipful experiences so our heart can be filled up, yet we disregard the rigors of biblical study or the discipline of actively loving our neighbor. Or vice versa. 

We tend to hang out with people that have a similar view of life. I believe that certain churches draw certain types of people – and with that – certain churches tend to have different focuses when it comes to body, mind, and heart. Some churches tend to focus on emotion-filled worship experiences, while others tend to focus on serving their communities.

I’m concerned by the danger that can be done by living out of only one or two of the aspects and ignoring the other. When we talk about service, so often I hear the phrase “Oh, their heart is in the right place.” Ok, great, but what if they are doing damage by what they’re actually doing? The books Toxic Charity and When Helping Hurts both speak to this. (Transformative reads for me! Poverty Inc also addresses this.)

When we stop paying attention to our minds, hearts, or bodies, I believe damage is done. When an entire group of people stops paying attention to their minds, hearts, or bodies, I believe the damage is magnified. Countless atrocities occur when people do not listen to their minds or hearts, or the minds or hearts of those around them. 

What does it mean to be a whole person – body, mind, and heart – and to offer my whole person to the service of God and my neighbor? What does it mean to have the “mind of Christ?” 

I think it begins with listening. More listening to God of course and listening to Scripture. But also, listening to ourselves. More listening to our questions and the ache in our neck and our feelings behind our feelings.  And also, listening to each other. More listening to the person we disagree with, the one with the crazy views or the crazy kids. More listening to the person who grew up across the world or across town. 

Listening does not necessitate agreement with the other. But it does require a posture of openness and curiosity. 

Lord, give us grace.