The Heart

The Holy Spirit reminded of Proverb (4:23) that is important to me, it says "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life."  Actually the heart has an important role throughout the Word of God.  I even have a Board Member that says he has discovered where the heart is, it is the connection between the soul and spirit.  I believe this is an important discussion with equally important revelation, yet this is not what I am after.  I also was reminded by the Holy Spirit of the multiple ways Jesus said to, "You shall love the Lord with all your heart, ...."  Our hearts are very important in our connection with God but also in our connection with others.  Yet as I have met with leaders over the years and for myself as well, one area that we often fail in is watching over our own hearts.  

I know I have tended to sacrifice myself by giving too much of my time to clients, not valuing the most important relationships in my life, and most importantly putting more resources into other people's relationship with God than my own.  I know being in full-time ministry means I get the joy of navigating this and making my fair share of messes in this area but I don't think I am alone.  I believe one of the reasons we live in such an orphan hearted culture is that we don't watch over our hearts but they often lead us.  As believers "born again" in Christ we have a new spirit united with Him, it is from the place of the spirit that the Holy Spirit actually watches over our hearts.  Yet often we can ignore, suppress, deny, or not be interested in what He is reporting.  At times the Holy Spirit is sounding the alarm like a "check engine" light on our cars, yet we just keep going hoping it will go off.

The second part of Proverbs 4:23 is important, "...For from it flow the springs of life."  The New King James Version says, "...For out of it spring the issues of life."  Boy do we have issues, in our country we have economic issues, we have political issues, we have immigration issues, racial issues, crime issues, and issues upon issues.  Could it be that as country since we have so many issues, that there is something wrong at the heart level.  Our same Board Member that talks about where the heart is also talks about what brings hardness of heart, which are wounds and choices.  It is the affections of the heart that can lead us towards God or can get us far away from Him.  I believe the call of God on this generation is to not only have a revival that brings life to our spirit but touches our very hearts where all the issues are springing forth.  Remember that from the Father's love, He sent Jesus out of His bosom to be the manifestation of His love to us.

Responding from my heart to God's love,
Bret