A while ago I posted a little bit of what Scripture says regarding the heart. (Read here)
"But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels." - Psalm 81:11-12
I am stopped in my tracks at the words of this verse because I know that I have a stubborn heart that wants what it wants and it will hold tightly to its desires, whether those desires are right or wrong.
Yesterday a number of good conversations happened which helped reveal to me where part of my heart has been at lately, and I need God to break my stubbornness and give my heart completely to Him.
One friend I had not seen in a while came to visit for the weekend and I was able to have lunch with her and a mutual friend who was hosting her. Our conversation was regarding relationship struggles. All three of us women agreed that we desire to be pursued, loved, and secure in that love. We also agreed that Jesus ultimately and perfectly fulfills all three of those things for us. The problem arises when our hearts seek after the affection of imperfect man for security in place of what Jesus has already offered. Having been married for a while, one friend said that it is often tempting in her marriage to seek security from her husband. Marriage does not solve our heart issues. She spoke to the two of us single women and reminded us that we need to find our full satisfaction in Christ, for He is the well that will never run dry and He bids us to come. "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." - John 6:35
Another conversation yesterday evening was with a friend whom I have not talked to in over a year due to some conflict resulting in tough love. She told me that things had changed in her life and I wanted to hear what had happened. I was anticipating this conversation for over a month and was not sure how it was going to go but I can say that I left it with great joy in my heart. As I mentioned above, it is tempting to seek for security in mankind and it is a daily battle to resist that temptation. My friend had been clinging to someone who did not share the same beliefs as her and I, having done the same in my own life, tried to lovingly convince her to let go because she was not honouring God with her relationship. She told me yesterday the story of her boyfriend's conversion and why she believes he is sincere. I want to rejoice with her because I believe that God could have worked in her boyfriend and is the cause for his noticeable life change. But she did tell me that she often wonders what would have happened had she let go. Only God knows the answers to these kinds of questions.
Through these conversations I see that my stubborn heart has held onto the affection of man and still desires it very heavily for security. I want God to change this in me, and I need Him to change me for His glory. I want to obey the words of the LORD spoken by the prophet Samuel. "Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you." - 1 Samuel 12:24
I have spent way too much time seeking after the things of this world and catering to my flesh while God calls me to seek after Him and receive His blessings which are far greater than anything the world could offer.
Paul prays in 2 Thessalonians 3:5, "May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ."
Amen.
"But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels." - Psalm 81:11-12
I am stopped in my tracks at the words of this verse because I know that I have a stubborn heart that wants what it wants and it will hold tightly to its desires, whether those desires are right or wrong.
Yesterday a number of good conversations happened which helped reveal to me where part of my heart has been at lately, and I need God to break my stubbornness and give my heart completely to Him.
One friend I had not seen in a while came to visit for the weekend and I was able to have lunch with her and a mutual friend who was hosting her. Our conversation was regarding relationship struggles. All three of us women agreed that we desire to be pursued, loved, and secure in that love. We also agreed that Jesus ultimately and perfectly fulfills all three of those things for us. The problem arises when our hearts seek after the affection of imperfect man for security in place of what Jesus has already offered. Having been married for a while, one friend said that it is often tempting in her marriage to seek security from her husband. Marriage does not solve our heart issues. She spoke to the two of us single women and reminded us that we need to find our full satisfaction in Christ, for He is the well that will never run dry and He bids us to come. "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." - John 6:35
Another conversation yesterday evening was with a friend whom I have not talked to in over a year due to some conflict resulting in tough love. She told me that things had changed in her life and I wanted to hear what had happened. I was anticipating this conversation for over a month and was not sure how it was going to go but I can say that I left it with great joy in my heart. As I mentioned above, it is tempting to seek for security in mankind and it is a daily battle to resist that temptation. My friend had been clinging to someone who did not share the same beliefs as her and I, having done the same in my own life, tried to lovingly convince her to let go because she was not honouring God with her relationship. She told me yesterday the story of her boyfriend's conversion and why she believes he is sincere. I want to rejoice with her because I believe that God could have worked in her boyfriend and is the cause for his noticeable life change. But she did tell me that she often wonders what would have happened had she let go. Only God knows the answers to these kinds of questions.
Through these conversations I see that my stubborn heart has held onto the affection of man and still desires it very heavily for security. I want God to change this in me, and I need Him to change me for His glory. I want to obey the words of the LORD spoken by the prophet Samuel. "Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you." - 1 Samuel 12:24
I have spent way too much time seeking after the things of this world and catering to my flesh while God calls me to seek after Him and receive His blessings which are far greater than anything the world could offer.
Paul prays in 2 Thessalonians 3:5, "May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ."
Amen.
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