What’s on your heart?

So, what’s on your heart? It was a question asked of me just two days ago. Let me attempt to answer it. 

In a simple statement… a lot. For example:

My yard at home. It really needs cleaned up and mowed before it gets too cold. That has my heart somewhat.

My daughter, Cara, is somehow 18, in her senior year at Tree of Life Christian Schools, has the lead in the school play, and is looking at where to go to college. All this very much has my heart.

World conflict. Ukraine and Russia. Israel and Hamas. The horrors of hate have my attention and heart for sure. 

The upcoming elections. So much is on the line for local schools and big issues like issue 1. We need to cast our vote to make a difference in our community.

So, my yard isn’t that big of a deal, but my daughter is. The world and local issues and conflicts can be so hard to deal with. It’s surprising how our attention can be grabbed from something not that important to something life and death important for so many people around the world.

I like this teaching in Proverbs 4:20-27, verse 23 being the key.

“My son, pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
    keep your foot from evil.”

If we don’t guard our hearts then our hearts are given permission to be influenced by anything and everything that we hear, see, and speak. So, what’s most on my heart right now is how well am I guarding it. How well do I ask the Holy Spirit to lead it? How well do I ask Jesus to live in it? How well do I thank God for all that he has done for me?

In verses 24-27, we see how to do this.

1. Keep your mouth clean with proper talk.
2. Set your eyes on Jesus and ask for the Holy Spirit to lead.
3. Watch your path carefully and ask often am I following Jesus?
4. Be focused on walking straight to God. Do not turn or be detracted to the left or right but walk securely on Godly ground.

We will always have issues and concerns that will grab our attention. If our hearts are unguarded it can take us to thinking and concerns we shouldn’t have. Although, if you have been guarding your heart, any issue should simply take you back to Jesus. That’s what should be on my heart and yours.

So, the next time someone asks: “What’s on your heart?” I hope and pray you and I can honestly and passionately say… Jesus.

That’s what’s on my heart.