HOW'S YOUR HEART?

Let the words of my mouth, and the
meditation of my heart
be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord,
my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Went to the cardiologist who had treated me in the hospital in March. Didn't really need a cardiologist at that time but that's a whole other story. I don't mind going to doctors, but this one I was dreading. I realize God is in charge of my life, including the condition of my heart, but sometimes the human part of me creeps into life. I didn't think anything was wrong with me, but there's always that little quirky thought of concern that can rise to the surface.

I was at the office for the longest time, saw three people including the doctor...nurse, doctor's assistant and then the doctor again. I scanned through two or three magazines in the rest of the time... it took about 20 minutes seeing the three of them. In a cardiologist's office, it's not really the place you want to spend time waiting, but I guess that's just me. In the process, everything was checked that would be in a practice like that...blood pressure, lungs, carotid artery, heart listened to from different angles. After that was all done, the doctor said he couldn't believe I was in such good shape (wanted to say “for your age” but didn't). It was good getting a good report. I had already had lab tests done so I walked out feeling very thankful to the Lord.

Well, that's all well and good to get a good report from that doctor. However, I have wondered since getting home what shape my spiritual heart is in. If God were to walk into the room to give me His overall report, would I in the end feel good or very disappointed in what my Heavenly Father would observe about my spiritual condition?

For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:21

A good man out of the good
treasure of the heart bringeth
forth good things
Matthew 12:35

Jesus said unto him, Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy
mind.
Matthew 22:37

In the first two verses, the word “treasure” is obvious. We all have our treasures. With that word, we think of great riches, but most of us don't have treasures as far as money or other means of wealth to any extent. There are many things we hold dear to our hearts that have nothing to do with finance. I treasure my family, the house I live in, books...especially my Bible, my church, my Christian friends, our country and could probably list more. Off of those things can be people or situations that can occupy more of my heart than they should. Jesus said we are to love our Lord with ALL our hearts. That's a big order for Christians who have so much compared to others in other countries who may have so little.

We could all well take some inventory here at the beginning of a new year where Jesus stands in the line of importance of our lives. Is there a person, place, pleasure or thing I can honestly admit stands ahead of Him in my life? I realize God has put people in our lives to love and care for, but never to take His place. The biggest part of our love and devotion belongs to Him...in fact, it all belongs to Him.

I think of ways we short change the Lord. For some, church attendance may be a chore. Others may have to look around the house for their Bibles on Sunday morning because they haven't read them all week and don't know where to find them. How about time spent in prayer? God waits patiently to hear our voices directed to Him in just ordinary conversation.

Is God my greatest treasure? With all Jesus did for you and me, how can we put Him in a corner somewhere while we go about our daily living. Many of us would fall short if there was a machine that could monitor or diagnose the spiritual condition of our hearts.

Oh, friends, I pray you and I will fall in love again with THE One who should be our real treasure...our true love.

Father, forgive me for not loving You as I should. I get busy seeing to so many things and yet You have been so generous in my life and I have often been so slack in really loving You with all my heart. I want You to be my treasure. In Jesus' precious name...Amen