The Power of a NU Heart By Dr. Brian S. Simmons

What Difference Does a Nu Heart Make?

In times like these, I am reminded of the difference a NU heart can make.

As we continue to experience the emotions leading up to and following a presidential election, I have questions about the state of our hearts.

• What should our spiritual response be to this election?
• What idols do we hold that harden our hearts and turn our attention away from God and His purposes?

Discovering at NU Heart

Years ago, my wife Bonnie and I were invited to a dinner with the search committee of Heritage Christian School, where I later served as Head of School for a decade. The dinner was at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Carmel, Indiana. Bonnie and I were from Elkhart, IN, where an Applebee was recently opened. We had never been to an expensive restaurant like Ruth’s Chris! It was a cold January day, and as we entered the restaurant, Bonnie was greeted at the door and asked if she would like to check her coat. So, she surrendered her jacket to the greeter. We were now ready to enjoy dinner and answer the questions of the Search Committee.

During the meal, the ENT doctor, who grew to become a dear friend, introduced me to one of the members of the Search Committee, Dr. Larry Hitchcock. With a whisper in my ear, the departing head of school said to me, “If you need anything, Larry is your go-to guy!”  I later learned that Larry had the gift of giving and a generous and compassionate heart!

I also learned that Larry had a heart transplant a few years earlier. Through an organ donor, God gave him a new physical heart! More important than his physical heart, however, Larry directed conversations about his license plate to share their need for a new heart with people!

The conversations went well. After dinner, Bonnie and I returned to the coat check, and a member of the Search Committee, an ENT doctor, handed the greeter a $5 bill to retrieve her coat from the coat check. His generous gesture brought a smile and a knowing look from my bargain-minded wife. That happened to be the exact amount she paid for that coat earlier at Goodwill!

We noticed the license plate on Dr. Hitchcock’s car as we left the restaurant. It said, “NU HEART!” We knew it was an evening we would remember for a very long time.

A Nu Heart for These Times

Today, here in the United States of America, more than societal, social, and emotional healing from the challenges of our times—as important as that is—we need spiritual healing!

We need a new heart!

“Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign Lord:  I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect my Holy name, which you brought shame while scattered among the nations.

…Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and carefully obey my regulations… you will be my people, and I will be your God.”

Ezekiel 36:22 ff

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.“

Hebrews 3:12-13

Let Us Pray

Lord, may you use us as leaders and followers of Christ during these uncertain and turbulent times to share with others the good news of the Gospel as we recommit to seeking your purposes and your will for all you have SO graciously entrusted to our care.

Bring revival to our land!

And, Lord, reveal the idols of our hearts that steer us away from you and give us a new heart!

Amen.

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Dr. Brian S. Simmons is the director of the PhD in Organizational Leadership degree program, professor, and PhD student mentor at Columbia International University. He exists as a visionary builder to further the kingdom of God through Christian education, teaching, and influencing others.

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If you want to examine your heart’s condition, we recommend registering for the 10-week Outcomes Academy Online cohort this winter, which features the second course in the Thriving Leader Series:

The Heart of the Leader | Cultivating a Spiritually Healthy Heart

The registration deadline is January 13, 2025, | The cohort begins on January 20, 2025