“The Gardener of my heart and the Part I Play”

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

Proverbs 4:23

As people, we are all tempted with jealousy, depression, self-seeking, greed, gossip, unforgiveness, laziness, impatience, worry, fornication, adultery and any thing else that would contaminate the soil of our hearts and threaten our growth and well-being. These pollutants along with others are used as tools by the enemy of our soul to choke our faith and destroy the life within us; it chokes our capability to love as Christ loves and live in abundance.

God is the gardener of our hearts (if allowed). He plants seeds in our hearts that will produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control….” Galatians 5:22-23 However, we have a part to play and that is we- with God’s help- are sort of like the pest control. Our job is to study God’s Word (The Bible) so that we can be exposed to all types of pests (sin) that wars against our hearts. Once we are made aware of what is wrong, we’ve got to stay away from it. “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:17

S/N Often times when I am tempted to do something I know is wrong, I ask myself this simple question: “Is it worth it?”

Additionally, we must allow God to also pluck the weeds that have taken root in the fallow ground of our hearts. Jesus came that we may have life and life abundantly. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 However, there are times that we experience circumstances as children and adults that scar us in different ways. As a result, we MUST allow God to heal and restore us so that we can then experience the abundant life that Jesus made available for us.

To “wear your crown” is not only about loving you, accepting who you are or celebrating “you” but it also requires us to deal with who we are as a person. Dealing with who you are requires you to look within and consider the good, bad and the ugly. We must also be willing to put in the work to keep our lives pure and pleasing to God! Are you wearing your crown?

Until Next Time, Remember: Put on the breastplate of righteousness that you may guard your heart against ALL contaminants.