Open wide the doors

“Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us? Are we not perhaps afraid to give up something significant, something unique, something that makes life so beautiful? Do we not then risk ending up diminished and deprived of our freedom? No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation. And so, today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life. Amen.” ~ Pope Benedict XVI

This quote has been stalking me lately. I have seen it pop up on so many blog posts, Facebook statuses, you name it. I figured that it was significant for me then, so I have been trying to reflect on it lately. What is that fear that is present in my heart? Is there something in my life that I fear Him 'taking' away from me? 

In all of my discernment, I have never been afraid of Him taking things from me in the sense of taking my freedom, my choice etc. I know that by following His will, I gain life in abundance. My fear though is rejection and disappointment. I'm afraid of being heart broken. Putting it into the context of this quote, I guess you could say I am afraid of Him taking my heart and my joy. If something brings me such joy, and it is not in His plan, will I be disappointed? 

But at the same time, I desperately want Him to take all of my heart, and He is ultimately the source of my joy. Really, there is no way I can be disappointed. I think maybe part of me has been holding back my heart a little bit still out of fear... fear of the unknowns, the logistics, fear of plans changing... But if I give Him control of my heart, truly all of it, then there is no way I could ever be disappointed or rejected. If my heart is so consumed by His, so captured by Him, then no matter what may happen in this world, I could never be heartbroken. Because He would be protecting my heart. Sure, there will be moments of heartache and distress, but if I freely give Him control of my heart, it will never become shattered. And there is my biggest fear put to rest. 

He knocks on the door of our hearts daily. How am I going to respond?