What’s in My Heart?

If only our hearts were like our wallets, where we could take them out and thumb through the contents. God sees our hearts that clearly. He knows our passions, our intentions, our motivations, and our secrets. He even sees inside the deep folds, where our unrealized feelings and needs lie.

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.” 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: 6-7

Lord, what do you see when you look at my heart?

You see pictures of my family—my grown children, for whom I would walk through fire, and my husband, my love.

You see what I treasure. Do I value money or possessions, which will not last, more than the eternal souls around me? (Matthew 6:19-21) Do I overly care for my image or reputation, which are based on a perception rather than reality? Give me a heart that yearns for the eternal, for what really matters. Help me to see past this world, into what will matter in the next—which would be following your example to serve others. (Philippians 2:4)

You see scars, where words have wounded and circumstances have torn. Your touch has healed much, yet several spots still bleed. May I consistently talk to you about them and seek healing. May I not grow hardened, uncaring for the needs of others because of my own pain. Help me to tenderly care for others the way you care for me.

You see my fears, which are many. I tend to fear whatever is outside my control, which is most everything. I cannot control the weather, the economy, politics, and the choices others make. But you can, and I trust that you will work all things together for the good of those who love you. (Romans 8:28) This good is defined in the next verse: we are being conformed to the image of Jesus, who was a servant. So our good means our maturing, becoming more like Jesus. Then I can answer fear by remembering whose image I bear. God is good, and he is love, which drives out fear. (1 John 4:18) Nothing is more powerful than he is.

You see my pride. Apparently, I have more than I realized. Why do I compare myself with others? Why do I remind myself of my accomplishments? In truth, anything good in me comes from the God who put it there. If I have talent, it is because God gave it to me. If I am smart, then God gave me that ability. So I should be thankful, not prideful, for my talents and abilities. They are from God and are to be used for his glory.

You see what I can’t. What am I missing? Part of me just feels sad sometimes, and I don’t know why. Lord, please fill me. Pour your anointing oil on my life and free me from the sin that entangles, free me from my anxieties, and help me to live like Jesus.