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It’s That Time Of Year
I’m pretty sure this is what every social media page in America looks like right now. If you’re looking for a new you in ’22… you’ll have a plethora of “how to’s” at the click of a button, the tap of a finger, the swipe of your thumb.
I don’t know why I’m noticing it this year more than other years. Maybe because I haven’t been on social media quite as much and just the top couple posts I see whenever I hop on are ones mentioned above.
It’s well known that most people give up by the end of every year and go crazy on the turkey, mashed potatoes, hot cocoa and treats (or is that just me???). Thusly, social media and all their sponsors and ads are there on January 1st, ready to pounce with all the beautiful ways to reel you in, smooth out those rolls, and give you all you’ll need to make the 2022 you the best you yet!
I can’t say I’m never tempted to jump in with both feet and try something new. I’d always love to shed a few pounds, tone up some flab here and there, and I could ALWAYS improve my diet.
And Yet…
For some reason this year, I feel less inclined and not quite so tempted to jump into the next big trend or health fad. I’m a pretty health conscious person, but maybe the mess our world is in has caused my focus to change. Or maybe it’s the mess I’m in. Maybe I’m beginning to wonder how to best spend my time and energy. Maybe I’m wondering what it is my body really needs most.
I’m not knocking physical health and it’s importance by ANY MEANS. I’m actually quite the advocate for it.
Still… if I have to really look back at 2021 and ask myself how I can best improve myself… what’s the one “muscle” in me that needs some major work…
I would have to say… it’s my heart.
Cause y’all… it’s currently a bit out of shape.
Oh, My Heart
I’m not talking about my physical heart and the need for an amped up cardio workout… though that might be in order as well.
I’m speaking of my heart. The seat of my emotions, the decider of my feelings, and the thing that drives my thoughts, words, and actions.
See, this year, more than any other part of my body, my heart might be carrying the most weight. The weight of a cultural, self preserving insanity that only seems to increase. The weight of an unknown future that doesn’t always look bright in the midst of a surrounding darkness. The weight of the simple day to day grind and my lack of ability to keep up. And the greatest weight of all… my own sinfulness. There is just so much confusion, guilt, selfishness, frustration, pride, doubt, and fear wrapped up in this oh so human heart of mine.
It’s not that I’m surprised that my heart needs work…
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9
It’s just that this year, I’m much more aware of it than I usually am… and as we come into the new year, I’m realizing something:
Physical fitness (which is usually my goal) means nothing if it’s simply a pretty and energetic cover up for a struggling and sinful heart.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
It’s becoming much more apparent to me that I’m accountable for the state of my heart and it effects every part of my life. If I try to ignore sickness of the heart, there’s no way to be right before my Creator:
“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10
It’s easy to feel discouraged that such a vital part of me isn’t what it ought to be, but knowing it’s not me who changes hearts is incredibly encouraging. These days my older boys have more and more questions about the Gospel. They wonder why they struggle so much to want what God wants. Derek and I are always having to remind them and in doing so, remind ourselves, that it is God who changes hearts.
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Phil 2:13
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
Great news! God gives me the perfect “heart regimen” in his inspired Word. Here’s what I’ve found:
Step #1: Seek The Changer Of Hearts
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
This is my greatest of failures as a follower of Christ. Prayer. Not the prayer that’s passing and whispered as needs are mentioned. No, I’m speaking of desperate, purposeful, intentional seeking of God in prayer… I sit in my inadequacies rather than lifting them up to the One most adequate. I wallow in my guilt rather than surrendering that guilt to One who can take it away. Oh, how often I try to fix myself instead of seeking the maker, healer, and restorer of hearts.
Step #2: Be Fed By The Word
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3-4
The Word of God is life itself. The Word of God is how we hear his unchanging voice. The Word of God is nourishment to the believer in Christ. The Word of God is unchanging, timeless and sufficient. How can I hope for a healthy heart if I ever turn away from what feeds my very soul?
Step #3: Prioritize
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:33-34
My heart is so given to the love of things that are incredibly unimportant while the things that are in desperate need of my attention suffer. I don’t often take life seriously enough and I live too often for myself. The habits I build, the things I prioritize, the way I treat those around me… speak loudly of where my hearts lies. Getting my priorities in line is vital to a healthy heart.
Step #4: Dwell On What Is Good
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
Whether through entertainment, or media, or the nightly news… there are so many ways I can fill my heart with, well… crap (for lack of a better term). There are opportunities at every turn to think on anything but what Philippians calls me to dwell on. Sometimes I vindicate this by saying, “I’m just keeping up with what’s going on these days!” Yet I know that dwelling too much on the wickedness of this world and all of it’s messiness and hatred for God and has played a large part in the struggles of my heart. There’s a lot of wrong going on around us, but God has given me so many things of beauty and goodness to dwell on. Why do I so often shut out the light for the darkness?
Step #5: Remain Alert To Conviction
For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ Acts 28:7
Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Deuteronomy 4:9
It’s so incredibly easy to become comfortable when I should not. I should never stop growing, never stop changing, never stop repenting, never cease to be sanctified. Yet I hit seasons where I am much less aware of my need for those things. There are times where I can see the faults of everyone else, but excuse my own. I might be aware, but I become lazy in the department of real change. I need to guard my heart and my soul and be vigilant in the care of both.
Step #6: Look To The Perfect “Personal Trainer”
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29
Not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Ephesians 6:6
There are also times when I am all too aware of my own need. I’m painfully in tune with my own mistakes and shortcomings. My guilt weighs me down and my inadequacies debilitate me. I take the yoke of my sin and failure upon me and try to teach myself a lesson, rather than taking the yoke and lesson from the One who is the gentlest and lowest of heart. He, the One who’s heart I long to emulate, offers to teach me and to give me the rest I so desperately need. Why would I ever turn away from such a gift?
In Closing
I’m not much of a person for resolutions, but if I had one for 2022, this would be it: to focus on my heart health.
If my heart is steadfast in the Lord, making right priorities, seeking what is good, and remaining steadfast and focused on Christ… then all will be well.
Perhaps not well in the world, but well in my heart. If the center of my emotions and decisions, which project my thoughts, words, and actions is in good health:
I will speak with more kindness and compassion.
I will walk with more humility.
I will grow in love and wisdom.
I will be more purposeful in my endeavors.
I will cling to redemption rather than guilt.
I will reflect Christ’s heart rather than my own.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Happy New Year, sweet friends.
My Family Freedom 