King Solomon said it best: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” Proverbs 4:23.
Christ is The source of life. In Him, we have life and have it abundantly.
Let me ask you…is there a known 150 year old individual? Are they up and walking? Time is so very short! What exactly is your life for and about?
Breaking this down… Whoever has The Son has life; whoever does not have The Son of God does not have life. The purpose of my life is to know God and hear His voice so I can live a life of servanthood and obedience; then I will be a God-defined person and a non-anxious presence in every situation.
This is necessary for at least three reasons:
- Because your heart is extremely valuable. We don’t guard worthless things. I take my garbage to the street every Wednesday night. It is picked up on Thursday morning. It sits on the sidewalk all night, completely unguarded. Why? Because it is worthless.Not so with your heart. It is the essence of who you are. It is your authentic self—the core of your being. It is where all your dreams, your desires, and your passions live. It is that part of you that connects with God and other people.Just like your physical body, if your heart—your spiritual heart—dies, your leadership dies. This is why Solomon says, “Above all else.” He doesn’t say, “If you get around to it” or “It would be nice if.” No, he says, make it your top priority.
- Because your heart is the source of everything you do. King Solomon says it is the “wellspring of life.” In other words, it is the source of everything else in your life. Your heart overflows into thoughts, words, and actions.In Tennessee, where I live, we have thousands and thousands of natural springs, where water flows to the surface of the earth from deep under the ground. It then accumulates in pools or runs off into creeks and streams.If you plug up the spring, you stop the flow of water. If you poison the water, the flow becomes toxic. In either situation, you threaten life downstream. Everything depends on the condition of the spring.Likewise, if your heart is unhealthy, it has an impact on everything else. It threatens your family, your friends, your ministry, your career, and, indeed, your legacy. It is, therefore, imperative that you guard it.
- Because your heart is under constant attack. When Solomon says to guard your heart, he implies that you are living in a combat zone—one in which there are casualties.Many of us are oblivious to the reality of this war. We have an enemy who is bent on our destruction. He not only opposes God, but he opposes everything that is aligned with Him—including us.
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24
The Good News: One of the best things you can do as a follower of God is to share His grace with others. By doing so, you create meaning in your own life.
“Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16
The Good News: Take advantage of new opportunities to strengthen your faith and create meaning in your everyday life.
“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Proverbs 27:19
The Good News: Your life is a reflection of the ideals and faith you hold in your heart. The areas where you spend time and energy reveal what’s really important to you.
“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.” Proverbs 21:21
The Good News: Prioritizing your spiritual growth will allow you to flourish. Continuing to develop your relationship with God is the key to building a life that brings you pride.