The heart is one of the most vital organs of the body. As part of the circulatory system, it keeps the blood flowing to every limb and organ and extremity. If any part of the heart or its network of veins and arteries becomes hardened, that flow of blood becomes restricted and major complications are all but certain to occur. Just as our physical hearts circulate our own blood, our spiritual hearts circulate blood of a different kind. Our hearts regulate the flow of Christ's atoning blood to carry life-giving forgiveness and to carry away the waste products of sin and rebellion. The more that we repent, the softer and more supple our heart is, which keeps the blood of Christ flowing constantly into our lives. The heart often beats over a hundred times every minute. We may just need our Savior’s grace as many as a hundred times per minute. If we harden our hearts, we stop that flow and cut ourselves off from the love of God. It is not that God has ceased to love us or we have stopped needing Him, but if our heart has become too rigid and unyielding, then nothing good will be able to be carried into our lives, just as nothing bad will be able to be carried out of our lives.
