Hardened Hearts

“…They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.” Mark 6:51b-52

Be aware! See it for yourself! Don’t miss the reality of God’s amazing grace and His miraculous ability to intervene on your behalf and in the affairs of men. Commit yourself today to be spiritually vigilant and sensitive to God’s work in the world around you.

As lawyers we possess the unique opportunity to be a conduit of God’s grace to others each and every day. Some of you will have the opportunity today to represent disadvantaged clients, others will act as instruments of God’s justice in criminal matters, some will be on the front lines of protecting religious liberty, and many others will simply have an opportunity to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit to family members, friends and colleagues. No matter how God is using your gifts as a lawyer or law student, recognize that He is at work through you and around you. Remain grateful for how much God has given you and join him daily in His work!

After a long day of teaching culminated by the miraculous feeding of over five thousand people using just five loaves and two fish, Jesus sent his disciples across the Sea of Galilee and separated himself for a time of prayer. Later that evening, the disciples became terrified by Jesus walking on the water. The Bible tells us in Mark that they were amazed and their hearts were hardened because they had not understood or fully considered the miracle of the loaves. God had done an amazing work that only He could have performed, and yet the disciples missed its full meaning. They had Jesus with them every day. How can we do better?

In a profession where people seek and rely on our advice and assistance to deal with complex and difficult issues and questions, we can easily become self-absorbed and overly confident in our own problem-solving and intellectual capacity to handle daily challenges. Instead of remembering that we fulfill our calling by God’s grace and exercise our vocation as part of His work of reconciling the world to Himself, we look to our own ability to win cases, right wrongs, propose new laws, and fix people’s problems. We need to remember the loaves and fish!

Spend time today in God’s Word and prayer. Stay spiritually sensitive. Then as you see God at work around you, you’ll experience great peace and joy in your calling. Be Aware!

~ Associate Professor David Velloney, Regent University School of Law