Heart Muscles
When I was younger I played a lot of basketball. At night I used to lay in my bed practicing my shooting form by rolling the ball off my fingers. I would lay there for hours just doing it over and over again. Sure enough, when I got out on the court my jump shot improved. My muscles became used to the repetition and simply remembered the fluid motion that I repeated constantly. By the time I got on the court, I didn’t even think about my form…it was just natural.
According to Wikipedia, muscle memory is a form of procedural memory that involves consolidating a specific motor task into memory through repetition. When a movement is repeated over time, a long-term muscle memory is created for that task; eventually allowing it to be performed without conscious effort.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? Matthew 5:43-46
The muscle memory principle applies in more than just a physical sense but also in a spiritual sense. Our default isn’t always love. However the more we live like Christ, the more we train our heart muscles. Every opportunity we take to love the unlovable strengthens our muscle memory. Every opportunity we get to bless and pray for our enemies makes the process more natural.
I want to live a life where my default is love. Where it isn’t even a thought; it comes without conscious effort. I believe it is possible. I believe I can train my heart by loving over and over again. I believe I can love without fear. I want to keep trying until it is no longer a sacrifice but a lifestyle.
Are you strengthening the muscle memory of your heart?
Hi Tony…I just clicked to your blog from a comment on Melissa Brotherton’s. Then I saw this post title. I also wrote a post on muscle memory of the heart, only it was in relation to The Karate Kid. I just thought it was so funny that you mentioned free throws because I mentioned the exact same thing. Too weird!!! If you want to check it out: http://popparables.com/2010/12/the-karate-kid-a-pop-parable-about-righteousness/
Anyway, looking forward to adding you to my must read list now.
This is great. Thanks, Tony, for sharing this.
Thanks Jaimee!
I once was told if you bump a glass of water, then water should spill out. If we as Christians are filled with Living Water, He’s what is supposed to spill over when we get “bumped.”
Practice/muscle memory and deeper surrender might just get us there. Thanks for the challenge, Tony!
I love that, Dawn! Thanks for sharing.
I’m so happy to be reconnected with the Gonzalez family!
“I want to live a life where my default is love. Where it isn’t even a thought; it comes without conscious effort. I believe it is possible”
I believe it too! /~~> great post man
Thanks Herb! You sharpen me regularly.
This is great man. Love till it’s automatic. It’s definitely not like that for me yet, at last n ot all the time! I need to get better at showing my coworkers automatic love. I’m around them probably more than anyone else except my wife. It’s a ripe area of my life.
This is great man. Love till it’s automatic. It’s definitely not like that for me yet, at last n ot all the time! I need to get better at showing my coworkers automatic love. I’m around them probably more than anyone else except my wife. It’s a ripe area of my life.
Oh man, are you trying to hit home for me? Work is a sensitive topic. I love my job…the people are another story. I definitely haven’t been automatic in that area; mostly because I keep to myself. I really need to make more of an effort.
Tony, I love this analogy. It’s so true and I’m glad we can develop that lifestyle of faith, love, serving, and giving. Excellent! Thank you.
Thanks Jason!
I talk “muscle memory” with my baseball playing sons…after years of repeating myself, they are finally understanding. Seems like that was a exercise as well…but I digress.
I love the analogy and this line….
“However the more we live like Christ, the more we train our heart muscles.”
So true bro’ thanks for posting this today!
Thanks Jay! God is so cool when He shows me things in a practical way.
And I’m glad the site finally came back up. I was freaking out for awhile.
Thanks Jay! God is so cool when He shows me things in a practical way.
And I’m glad the site finally came back up. I was freaking out for awhile.
I talk “muscle memory” with my baseball playing sons…after years of repeating myself, they are finally understanding. Seems like that was a exercise as well…but I digress.
I love the analogy and this line….
“However the more we live like Christ, the more we train our heart muscles.”
So true bro’ thanks for posting this today!
Finally made it here. Awesome post and analogy.
In order to love, we must practice loving.
Thanks Dusty. A little craziness today with my web host but I’m glad you were able to stop by. I love that we had similar topics today.
I totally get this analogy. I played college baseball and hitting is the same thing….muscle memory…
Bro…I work on my heart daily…
Me too man. I love hard but this verse always sobers me. I find myself pouring everything I have into my relationships and find myself spent when it comes to loving those that aren’t so easy to love. I try to consciously find those opportunities in the hopes that one day it just flows naturally…like streams of living water!