All My Heart

My daily routine…

After I dress myself in my shirt and tie, I slide my nametag onto the breast pocket.

Doing so, reminds me of who I am representing daily.

Constantly, I am reminded, that the name of Jesus Christ is positioned next to my heart.

Today, I noticed something extra.

For the last 19 months, immediately after I slide my nametag into position, I then place a folded A4 piece of paper into my breast pocket.

On the paper is a list of names and areas of everyone in the mission.

We call it the By-Zone.

Currently there are 130 names on the list for this transfer.

The names change every six weeks, as missionaries arrive and depart.

Many other names have been on the list too.

It struck me today, that the list of names is one layer of cotton, closer to my heart.

The names are positioned between Christ’s name and my heart.

The heart is a tender place.

We feel things in our hearts.

I know every single one of those individuals listed on the paper.

They are much more than merely names.

They are real people, who I have met with, laughed with, cried with, rejoiced with, taught with, prayed with, dined with, played games with, juggled with, sang with, travelled with, and counselled with.

I love them.

My heart overflows with gratitude for each of them.

Many are home now.

For a season, their names were next to my heart.

Over time, their names have migrated from next to, to deeply ingrained and written into my heart.

At times, there is a tug on my heart, and my thoughts are directed to each of them, one by one.

Like family members, their hearts are bound to my own.

In Luke 10:27, the Saviour explained, we must “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, … soul, … strength, and … mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”

What does it mean to love someone with all your heart?