“Heart”

You see it in exceptional musicians, athletes, advocates, and entertainers. It is seen in any profession where someone passionately goes above and beyond in doing his or her job. Watching how an individual or organization excels in the application of their trade can be exhilarating and inspiring. Successes and victories come from more than talent and good intentions. So what is that unique quality or ingredient?

Heart!

This is defined by courage and determination and hope. It goes beyond the normal or average. It transcends what the mainstream expects. It gives onlookers much more than just an example and creates moments where witnesses become empowered to step off the sidelines and contribute in their own personal areas with talents and skills that have significance and influence with others.

God’s Word would talk about how we should pay more attention to the inside instead of the outside. “Rend your hearts and not your clothes…” Jesus would also say that where treasure is there will be your heart also. The commands are summed up as “love the Lord your God with all your heart.”

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7

How’s your heart these days? Your heart in the Lord?

One of my childhood heroes in baseball was Ernie Banks. Yes, he played for the Chicago Cubs. His heartfelt words (even in a loss) inspired me as a young ballplayer. “The Cubs will shine in ’69!” or “Let’s play two!”

You know the difference between those who just show up and those who are in it to win it. Who would you rather team up with?

My guess is that people are attracted to certain churches for much more than fancy programs, picturesque facilities, and pretty faces. They know when they see the heart of the Lord in the hearts of His people. These churches are places filled with compassion, mercy, love, care, and a fired-up, Spirit-driven desire to reach out to the lost, the left out, and the unloved. The body of Christ in this atmosphere is in it to win it even if it means loss.

“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice?” I Samuel 15:22

Just showing up to observe does not cut it. Never has and never will.

“Obedience is better than sacrifice and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” I Samuel 15:22

God is exposed to humankind as His heart is exposed in Jesus. Religiously or spiritually speaking, no one in the history of the world has a heart like God/Jesus. His redemptive power changes hearts. When the Lord shows up, life as we know it changes. All things become possible through Jesus who strengthens us.

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7

Do you have heart? For others? For the lost? For submission? For obedience? For the Lord?

Pastor Dave