a noun.

–noun 1. Anatomy . a hollow, pumplike organ of blood circulation, composed mainly of rhythmically contractile smooth muscle, located in the chest between the lungs and slightly to the left and consisting of four chambers

a heart is a funny thing.
i believe that as a Christian, i have thought about, not only my heart, but hearts in general, more than ever before. how it feels, why it feels, how it categorizes what's 'most-loved' and what is, at times, put on the back burner.
there is a closed heart: one that knows what it loves, why it loves, and who it loves. this heart is also a strong heart, but so strong that it stands against all opportunities; against anything that comes before it to knock on its doors.
there is also an open heart: one that knows what it may love, hears what others love, and looks for more to love. this heart, is a vulnerable heart; bad to some, good to others. it is open to listen and open to love all that steps before it and even welcomes those who do.

as Christians, we pray for the lost; we pray that they turn to Jesus and the church; we pray that they come with open hearts and minds towards God's Word.
how often is it that we pray for our own hearts to be open and softened? how often is it that we actually have open hearts? how often is it that we truly listen to others? those who love Jesus and those who don't?
do our strong hearts say "H-no, we won't go..." or do our open hearts simply sit in love and respond in few words of interest.
i always wait for good reaction from strong/closed hearts. although, at times, my heart reacts unfortunately hard back to them...
they may say, "No, that is wrong–this is right." i may respond with "Well, that is your opinion, maybe you are right."
who wins?
no one.