Welcome to Lent!
This is a time when many followers of Jesus renew efforts to recalibrate their life. Consider 40 days of personally plumbing the depths of a single proverb (Prov. 4:23):
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
Four points—
1. “Above all else, guard your heart.”
For Westerners, we see the “heart” as the seat of our emotions. We talk about the heart in a symbolic way such as, “I love you with all my heart.”
In the ancient world of Scripture the heart is much more—it is the seat of the whole person.
So—guard the center of who you are.
2. “Above all else, guard your heart.”
“Guard” in this context means more than “keep a close check on what you think about.” It’s more like: “keep a close eye on what you value;” “be careful about what you treasure most;” “safeguard where you put your deepest affections.”
So—take care to choose what you think about most of the time.
3. “Above all else, guard your heart for it is your wellspring of life”
Your “wellspring of life.” In other words, guard your heart because what you set your whole being on, what you fix your mind upon, influences what you do and where you go, moment by moment.
So—because your heart determines the course of your life, guard it.
4. “Above all else, guard your heart.”
Since your “heart” is the core and sum of your personality, protect it above everything else you have. If your heart pursues things that are peripheral you will become fully occupied with things non-essential.
So—do not fall victim to a life of distraction, above all experience a truly meaningful life.
Simply, live by this guide: do whatever makes the most room in your heart for God.
Now that’s something to Celebrate!
