Expanding Our Hearts: Living with Christ-Centered Curiosity

 

Summary

In reflecting on the life and influence of my dear friend Sam Reeves, I am reminded of the profound impact one person can have when they live with a Christ-centered optimism and an insatiable curiosity for life. Sam, who is celebrating a milestone birthday, exemplifies a life lived with purpose and passion, constantly seeking to bring life and help to others. His approach to life, characterized by the phrase "just the way we like it," embodies a deep trust in God's will and a commitment to doubling down on the cross, even in the darkest moments.

As we consider our own stories, we are challenged to break free from the smallness of routine and comfort, and instead, live with a great big God in a great big world. This is beautifully illustrated in the story of Count Rostov from "A Gentleman in Moscow," whose world initially shrinks due to his self-preoccupation but later expands through the influence of a curious young girl named Nina. Her insatiable curiosity and interest in others transform her world, making it vast and intricate.

The lesson here is clear: our souls and stories grow larger when we make space for others, when we are curious, and when we care about those on the margins. This is a recurring theme in Scripture, where we are encouraged to widen our hearts and make room for others. My grandmother, a simple woman with a vast heart, exemplified this by caring deeply for her 21 grandchildren, each one adding another room to her heart.

In a world that often feels small and constrained, we are invited to make our stories big by being interested in others, asking questions, and caring about their lives. Most importantly, we are called to seek God in the world, to find hope in Him, and to trust that our future is secure in His hands. By doing so, we can live with a sense of purpose and joy, knowing that our stories are part of a much larger narrative.

Key Takeaways:

1. Christ-Centered Optimism: Embrace a life of Christ-centered optimism, trusting in God's will and doubling down on the cross, even in the darkest moments. This approach allows us to impact others positively and live with purpose. [02:00]

2. Expanding Our World: Like Count Rostov, we can expand our world by being curious and interested in others. This transforms our perspective and allows us to see the vastness of God's creation and the potential within each person. [06:51]

3. Making Space for Others: Our souls grow larger when we make space for others, as illustrated by my grandmother's love for her grandchildren. This is a spiritual practice that aligns with the biblical call to widen our hearts. [10:48]

4. Finding God in the Margins: Seek God in the margins and in the lives of those often overlooked. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's heart and discover the richness of His presence in unexpected places. [05:38]

5. Living with Hope: Anchor your hope in God, not in the circumstances of the world. This allows us to live with confidence and joy, knowing that our future is secure in His hands. [11:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:34] - Celebrating Sam Reeves
- [01:20] - Inspiring Leadership
- [02:00] - Christ-Centered Optimism
- [03:30] - Living a Big Story
- [04:02] - Count Rostov's Transformation
- [05:07] - Nina's Curiosity
- [06:20] - Expanding Our World
- [07:34] - God's Great Story
- [08:07] - C.S. Lewis' Insight
- [09:45] - Making Space for Others
- [10:34] - My Grandmother's Heart
- [11:09] - Finding God in the Margins
- [11:38] - Living with Hope
- [12:23] - Community Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 (ESV) - "We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also."
2. Matthew 25:40 (ESV) - "And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"
3. Romans 15:13 (ESV) - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe Sam Reeves' approach to life, and what phrase does he often use to express his trust in God's will? [01:48]

2. In the story of Count Rostov from "A Gentleman in Moscow," what initially causes his world to shrink, and how does it later expand? [04:18]

3. What role does Nina's curiosity play in transforming her world and the world of those around her? [05:07]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of making space for others through the example of the pastor's grandmother? [10:48]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to live with a "Christ-centered optimism," and how might this perspective impact one's approach to life's challenges? [02:00]

2. How does the sermon suggest that curiosity and interest in others can expand one's world and soul? What might this look like in practical terms? [06:51]

3. In what ways does the sermon encourage seeking God in the margins, and how does this align with the biblical call to care for "the least of these"? [05:38]

4. How does the concept of "widening our hearts" relate to the idea of making our stories big, and what might this require of us in our daily lives? [09:59]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. How might adopting a Christ-centered optimism have changed your perspective or actions during that time? [02:00]

2. Identify someone in your life who you can be more curious about. What specific questions can you ask them to better understand their story and expand your own world? [06:51]

3. Consider a person or group in your community who might be on the margins. What is one tangible way you can reach out to them this week to show God's love? [05:38]

4. Think about your current routine. What is one small change you can make to break free from comfort and routine to live with a greater sense of purpose and adventure? [03:47]

5. How can you make space in your heart for others, as illustrated by the pastor's grandmother? What practical steps can you take to widen your heart this week? [10:48]

6. Reflect on the role of hope in your life. How can you anchor your hope more firmly in God rather than in the circumstances around you? What specific practice can help you do this? [11:25]

7. What is one way you can "double down on the cross" in your life, especially during challenging times? How can this commitment shape your actions and decisions? [11:38]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Christ-Centered Optimism
Living with a Christ-centered optimism means trusting in God's will and finding strength in the cross, even during life's darkest moments. This approach allows individuals to positively impact others and live with a sense of purpose. By focusing on the hope and redemption found in Christ, believers can navigate challenges with a resilient spirit, knowing that their lives are part of a greater divine narrative. This optimism is not about ignoring difficulties but about seeing them through the lens of faith and the assurance of God's presence. [02:00]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you begin to embrace a Christ-centered optimism in that area today?


Day 2: Cultivate Curiosity to Expand Your World
Like Count Rostov, whose world expanded through the influence of a curious young girl, believers are encouraged to cultivate curiosity and interest in others. This transformation allows individuals to see the vastness of God's creation and the potential within each person. By stepping outside of self-preoccupation and engaging with the world around them, believers can experience a richer, more intricate life. This curiosity opens doors to new relationships and opportunities to witness God's work in diverse ways. [06:51]

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can reach out to with genuine curiosity and interest this week? How might this change your perspective or relationship with them?


Day 3: Make Space for Others in Your Heart
Our souls grow larger when we make space for others, as illustrated by the grandmother who cared deeply for her 21 grandchildren. This spiritual practice aligns with the biblical call to widen our hearts and embrace those around us. By intentionally creating room for others in our lives, we reflect God's love and compassion, fostering a community of support and understanding. This act of making space is not just about physical presence but about emotional and spiritual openness to the needs and stories of others. [10:48]

"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." (Romans 12:13, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone who might feel marginalized or overlooked. How can you make space for them in your life this week, showing them God's love and hospitality?


Day 4: Seek God in the Margins
Finding God in the margins involves seeking His presence in the lives of those often overlooked. By aligning with God's heart, believers discover the richness of His presence in unexpected places. This pursuit challenges individuals to look beyond the surface and recognize the divine in the everyday interactions and encounters with those on the fringes of society. It is in these moments that God's love and grace are most profoundly experienced and shared. [05:38]

"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community or daily life might be living on the margins? How can you intentionally seek to see and serve God in their lives this week?


Day 5: Anchor Your Hope in God
Anchoring hope in God, rather than in the circumstances of the world, allows believers to live with confidence and joy. This assurance comes from knowing that their future is secure in God's hands, regardless of external situations. By focusing on the eternal promises of God, individuals can navigate life's uncertainties with a steadfast heart, trusting in His faithfulness and provision. This hope is a source of strength and encouragement, enabling believers to face each day with renewed purpose. [11:25]

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific worry or fear you can surrender to God today, trusting Him to anchor your hope and guide your future?

Quotes


Sam is that way he is constantly curious uh this tremendous Appetite For Life one of his favorite sayings is just the way we like it whatever is going on that's kind of thy will be done on steroids whatever it is that I have to face together with God I will be able to do this this tremendous sense of Christ centered optimism in the darkest moments of life he would say we're going to double down on the cross and that's what we do constantly asking how can I bring life and help to other people [00:02:00]

how do you get out of the smallness of a little petty mind and a life it's just oriented around routine or comfort and live with a great big God in a great big world and it's actually a little paradoxical but it's beautiful and I want to return to this story that I have been citing in a few uh of these sessions called a gentleman in Moscow in this book the central character count rosoff has been exiled he is imprisoned in the hotel Metropol and so his enemies are trying to make his life very small [00:03:30]

and then there's another character at this point in this story she is a young girl with insatiable curiosity and for some reason she be befriends the count and her name is nah and she's constantly noticing people and asking questions and learning it is a very big world when you begin to notice people and you become curious and you get interested and you care doesn't matter what you do doesn't matter if your job or where you live or anything else looks larg or small the soul is enormous and the universe is enormous and God is very big especially as Sam would say notice people on the margins notice people that get overlooked [00:05:07]

the text says it was it's like sailing on a steam ship having enjoyed an afternoon shooting clay pigeons off the starboard bow passenger dresses for dinner dieses at the Captain's Table outplays the cocky French fellow at backarat strolls under the stars on the arm of a new acquaintance all the while congrat ulating himself he's made the most of a journey at sea but in point of fact he has only exposed himself to a glimpse of life on the ship having utterly ignored those lower levels that team with life and make the passage possible the overlooked the people at the margins [00:06:20]

God wants to make your story very great I don't mean necessarily in the eyes of this world Paul says we regard no one according to the flesh anymore it say not about that it's about the size of your heart and the aliveness of your mind and the bigness of our God the truth is that hell a life devoted to my own gratification and my own comfort and um satisfying my own desires makes people smaller and smaller and smaller [00:07:34]

all hell is smaller than one Pebble of your Earthly world but it's smaller than one atom of this world the real world look at Yan butterfly if it swallowed all hell hell would not be big enough to do it any harm or to have any taste it seems big enough when you're in it sir and yet all loneliness angers hatreds envies and itching that it contains if rolled in into one single experience and put into the scale against the least moment of the joy that is felt by the least in Heaven would have no weight that could be registered at all [00:08:07]

so make your story big and you do that by making space for other people this is over and over and over again in scripture uh to begin with something it's just small right where you are uh actually grows mustard seeds become the largest of trees in um Paul's second letter to the Corinthians in the sixth and seventh chapter he keeps using these two different verbs where he will say we have made space in our heart for you and he uses a verb that's widening and broadening like a vast plane or plateau [00:09:45]

my grandmother very simple woman uh never never went to school beyond the e8th grade but her curiosity I remember she lived with us when I was a kid seeing her for quite a few months came read this copy of Josephus she's reading Josephus she had 21 grandchildren and somebody would ask her occasionally you know how do you care for 21 grandchildren and she said it's like every time you have another one God adds another room to your heart the soul is vast vast beyond measure [00:10:34]

so make the story big today be interested be curious go to the margins find out about somebody ask them questions care about their lives most of all think about God ask where can you find God in the world ask God would you give me hope so that no matter what is happening uh politically or culturally or financially in this world I know that the future of this world am I my whole life does not depend on that I'm going to double down on the cross and the man who was on the cross and the resurrection thy will be done just the way we like it make your story great [00:11:09]

Sam is hitting a milestone birthday right now I will not say which Milestone it is but is a significant one and in a time when a lot of people would be kind of resed on the Laurels and taking it easy and saying would easily be able to do that he is charging forward and just by sheer Dent of Life Force impacting more people than just about maybe anybody literally literally to use one of Sam's favorite words that I know I first met him over 35 years ago I joined the board at Fuller Seminary and he was becoming the chair of that board [00:00:34]

Sam made arrangements for me to come speak for this big kind of cotton convention Sam the president of the biggest cotton import export firm around and uh so I spoke for this thing and they paid a much larger honorarium that I had ever seen it actually enabled Nancy and I to buy a used van from my Uncle Dale that time we had three kids for and under so they were all in car seats in the back of this real old very small Toyota Corolla when we were able to get that van when Nance found out about that uh that came through Sam she actually I'm not making this up got down on the ground and kissed my feet and that has not happened again in the last 35 years [00:04:02]

in the darkest moments of my life our life Sam was the person that we turned to that I turned to on never for had conversations where he would say stuff like you can I you can you can uh reinvent yourself and I thought well yeah I can do that so Sam uh I cannot express my gratitude or love to you um happy birthday and in the moments that remain here I want to talk to all of us just uh in view of the dynamic uh that this relationship has had on my life on as you live your story [00:05:38]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?