*Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you.* 2 Corinthians 6:11 (NLT) It can be very difficult at times to maintain a heart that is open, tender and compassionate. There are certainly risks involved when we allow our hearts to be open and loving, but the alternative of closing our hearts to others is ultimately more damaging to ourselves and others. A heart needs to be trained and exercised so that it can increase in capacity, both physically and spiritually. An athlete develops the capacity of his heart through exercise that increasingly becomes more intense. Depending upon the goal, the wise athlete will follow a plan for increasing endurance and strength. It is important to stick with the plan because after only 3 days of inactivity a person will begin to lose cardiovascular capacity. Likewise, having a heart that responds to needs around us will need training in order to increase its ability. It is interesting to note that the word ‘open’ in 2 Corinthians 6:11 could also be translated as ‘enlarged.’ There are people who are referred to as being ‘big hearted.’ It generally means that they have a natural disposition for kindness and generosity. While some may be naturally gifted in this way, it is possible for anyone to increase the capacity of their heart. Anyone who desires to increase the capacity of their heart must be willing to train it to be compassionate and generous. With as much suffering and pain as there is in the world, the natural tendency will be to close it off and shut it down in order to avoid heartache. Unless we have a source of strength and energy greater than our own we can become easily overwhelmed by the need around us. There will be excuses readily available if we have an inclination to close off our heart. Our compassion and generosity will not always be appreciated or even recognized. Our efforts may at times, not produce the desired results. Others, observing our efforts, may mock us for being sentimental, vulnerable or even foolish. The cynic will tell us that there is so much pain and suffering in the world and that our efforts will make very little difference. It is true that there is much pain and suffering around us and that realistically we will not be able to meet every need, but if we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and if we are willing, He will open our eyes and our heart to meet needs. Without a doubt, Jesus saw much pain and suffering during his ministry. He probably observed many funerals, even of the young, but it is highly unlikely that he raised all of them back to life. One day however, he was moved and he acted when he saw what was happening. *A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.* Luke 7:12–15 (NLT) If we allow ourselves to have an open and large heart, we may not be able to meet or respond to every need, but we will be there to minister to those as we are led by the Holy Spirit.