Yes, I know it is no longer February, the month of all things pertaining to the heart. But the heart is so important, so vital to our well-being, that I felt yet another “heart post” was justified. (besides, February is shorter than all the other months, so March can donate a day or two to the heart cause)

We know the heart is vital for keeping us physically alive, we can’t live without a functioning, healthy heart. As our heart becomes weaker or sicker, so does our physical body. But we also talk about the heart as the essence of who we are – as the determiner of what we think and feel, that place where our emotions, soul and spirit reside. We say someone is kindhearted or has a big heart or a hard heart or a heart of gold or we say their heart was in the right place or they spoke from the heart. God’s word tells us just how important our heart is. Consider these words from Proverbs,

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

My heart and your heart, dear readers, are what is important to God. I read in 1 Samuel 16:7,

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

God sees my heart, He knows my heart, and He wants all of my heart. My Heavenly Father desires me to be wholeheartedly devoted to Him and to wholeheartedly trust Him, follow Him and obey His commands wholeheartedly. God’s instructions leave no doubt about how much of my heart He desires be committed to Him.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” (Proverbs 3:5)

“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

David’s advice and admonition to his son, Solomon, are words every parent would be wise to pass on to their children. David said,

“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.” (1 Chronicles 28:9) Then I read these words in Colossians 3:23-24,

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

I want to live this life God has graciously given me with my whole heart, as wholeheartedly as I am able, each and every day. No one wants a halfhearted effort or halfhearted attention or affection – and that includes my Heavenly Father. He wants my wholehearted surrender, belief, trust, obedience, devotion, gratitude, praise, pursuit of Him rather than other gods or other things. God desires my whole heart, that I might serve and worship Him wholeheartedly. Wholeheartedly, that is the key to the abundant life Christ came to give to me and to you. Jesus told us as much when He said,

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Therefore,

“I will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart; (Psalm 138:1)

sincerely, Grace Day