The heart of the problem

General Charles M. Duke was an astronaut with the Apollo 16 mission to the moon. One evening he patiently answered questions from curious friends and visitors and added some interesting tidbits related to “Rover”, the lunar vehicle which actually walked on the surface of the moon.

One of the visitors, book author and pastor Charles Swindoll asked, “Once you were there, weren’t you free to make your own decisions and carry out some of your own experiments….you know, the sort of do as you pleased – maybe stay a little longer if you liked?”

The general smiled back, “Sure Chuck, if we didn’t want to return to earth!”

He then described the intricate plan, the exact and precise instructions, the essential discipline, the instant obedience that was needed right down to the split second.

By the way, he said they had landed somewhat “heavy” when they touched down on the moon. He was referring to their fuel supply. They had plenty left. Guess how much. One minute! They landed with sixty seconds of fuel remaining. Talk about being exact!

Swindoll says, “I got the distinct impression that a rebel spirit doesn’t fit inside a space suit. Whoever represents the United States in the Space Program must have an unconditional respect for authority.¹

Managers fight. They couldn’t agree with the company’s directive. And so, they band themselves, sign some kind of position papers and plot the removal of their regional director.

Employees refuse to obey. They make petition papers, put all their names on it and slow their work down as a sign of protest.

Children storm out of the house. They’ve had it up to their necks. Why should they stay on the receiving end forever carrying out endless instructions and obeying every order their parents give?

Churches split. Organizations tumble. Governments overthrown. What’s the main reason behind the refusal to submit to authority? Is it a mere difference of opinions? A personality conflict? A case of miscommunication?

Well, I can assure you it goes way deeper than all that. It actually has something to do with a refinery plant. Yes, you heard me right. It’s got everything to do with a refinery plant.

I have seen fuel refinery plants. I have been invited to do training for their plant executives.

There are machines and tanks. A closer look inside those massive tanks and you will see a massive concoction of pipes, tubes, generators, pumps and an endless maze of hoses, valves, conduits, switches and circuits.

The function of the machinery’s maze is defined by its name. It refines. Gasoline, oil, chemicals – the machines take in all these, then purify it so that it’s ready to go out.

I thought about this and realized that there is something similar to this. Something that is within us. Underneath the Crocodile or the Polo player shirt logo somewhere and towards the left portion of our chest lies a refinery called the heart.

It’s more than just a mass of valves and arteries pumping blood. The heart has always been considered as the seat of character, the origin of desires, affections, perceptions, thoughts, reasoning, imagination, conscience, intentions, purpose, will and faith.

The heart is also the seat of emotions. Songs have been written about it. That’s why we have the words “heartaches” – which is not the same as “chest pains.” Somebody falls out of love and we say, the other person has a broken heart – which is not the same as having that pumping organ split into pieces.

The bible addresses the main function of the heart ever so clearly. Proverbs say, “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” However, this does not mean that you go to your drugstore and buy some heart supplements. It simply means you guard your heart’s desires and motives.

The heart is the totality of the inner person. It is the cockpit if you will, the control tower. And just as cheap and dirty low grade oil or alloyed gasoline would cause you to question the performance of a refinery, selfish acts and impure thoughts cause us to question the condition of the heart.

There are people who refuse to submit to authority because they have a propensity towards creating factions, challenging those who are above them.

Selfish motives? Personal agenda? These are not mere personality issues, but actually are matters of the heart borne of ego and pride.

Truth is it takes a lot of humility and confidence to be a team player and to refuse the temptation of defying authority. The key to achieving greatness and finding meaning in life is to maintain a “service-mentality” rather than a “serve-me” attitude.

Fix our refinery first and make sure it is clean with pure motives.

Cultivate a pure heart for after all, the heart of the problem is always the problem of the heart.

(Connect with Francis Kong on www.facebook.com/franciskong2. or listen to “Business Matters” Monday to Friday 8:00a.m. And 6:30 p.m. over 98.7 dzFE-FM ‘The Master’s Touch’, the classical music station.)

¹ Strengthening Your Grip, Charles Swindoll