The heart has been the subject of many poems, songs, novels,
research studies, the center of marriages and other romantic
relationships, and much more, since the beginning of time. It has
profoundly influenced countless decisions made by all people
throughout the ages. The heart is often difficult to understand,
and yet it is at the core of everything we do in our lives. What
we desire in our hearts is what we pursue in our lives. That is
why the condition of our heart is so important to the quality of
our lives.
From the time all of us are young, we have been trained to
learn new skills, grow in our understanding of the world around
us, and we are taught how to treat other people in our lives. As
we get older, those skills become more complex. We choose our
careers, and the type of work that we want to do to make a living.
Often these decisions are made primarily upon external information
that we can see, hear, or feel. While this type of information
is important in the decision-making process, it should be secondary
the desires of our heart.
The common expression “go with your heart” is often good
advice. However, it can be poor advice if our heart is full of selfishness,
rage, lust, bitterness, or a host of other negative attitudes.
The suggestion of following our heart’s desire can produce
terrible decisions and outcomes. In order to effectively follow
our heart to make good choices in life, we need to make our heart
healthy. Proverbs 4: 23 tell us “…guard your heart, for everything
you do flows from it.” If our hearts are full of unhealthy
desires, self-centeredness, and other poor attitudes, we will make
decisions that are a reflection of those points of view.
Because our heart profoundly influences our decisions, the
next step is to make our heart healthy, and we need to fill it with
the attitudes that produce positive outcomes in our lives, and in
the lives of others. At various times in our lives we all receive
blessings from God. Yes, we appreciate them, but there is a
greater purpose in receiving these blessings than for us to simply
enjoy them. Blessings are meant to be shared with others. While
God does want us to enjoy them, He also has plans for us to use
them in service to others. There are great needs in the world, and
we all have something to give to help with those needs.
God wants us to be blessed, and to enjoy those blessings in
this life. Psalm 37: 4 promises us, “Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.” We need to fill
our heart with goodness, generosity, faithfulness, love, service to
others, and everything else that is pleasing to God. Think about
how wonderful it is when we hear someone say, “You made a
difference in my life.” Then out of the abundance of your heart
give, and your blessings will come back multiplied.
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the
heart”
– 1 Samuel 16: 7
The Heart
