[Jesus] said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasurer as well as old.” (Matthew 13:52)
Recently, I realized that it is very important that I put certain things that I really need—my wallet, keys and cellphone—in the same place every time. Otherwise, I cannot find them when I really need them and I spend a lot of time and energy looking for them. This became apparent to me when the special place for my wallet—a certain spot on a certain shelf on a bookshelf in Susan’s and my bedroom—disappeared when we took that bookshelf out of our bedroom. I spent much time over several days looking for my wallet until I realized what happened and then I found a new special spot for my wallet.
This prompted me to wonder, what is the most special spot in me? It is my heart. And do I put the things that I really need in my heart so I can retrieve them quickly and easily when I need them?
I realized that I have not been very discerning about filtering out what should not go in my heart. I have listened to the lies of Satan (“You are unlovable and unloved,” “What you have done is unforgiveable,” “there is something wrong with you”) and allowed them to take root in my heart.
I also realized that I have not been determined and intentional about planting God’s truth in my heart. What is really true, and what I really need at all times, but especially in times of crisis, is that Jesus loves me, he takes care of me and I am forever safe in his loving care. And when I plant the truth of God’s Gospel in my heart every day, it will quickly and easily comto my mind when I really need it. Psychologists call this “self talk,” but the Bible calls it “guarding your heart” (see Proverbs 4:23). Guarding your heart means being very careful about what we allow others to put in our heart and being careful about what we put in our heart ourselves.
As an experiment, try not saying anything critical to yourself and instead say to yourself only Gospel truths such as, “I am a forgiven, much loved child of God. Nothing can come between me and Jesus’ great love for me. I am a new creation.” See if you notice any difference in your life.
The Holy Spirit will help you to guard your heart as a special place for the treasure of God’s truth. Then you will have quick and easy access to that treasure so you can bring it out when you, or others, need it.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, please help me to guard my heart. Show me the lies in my heart that need to be tossed out. Help me to guard against those lies coming in my heart again. And help me to plant the truth of your Gospel in my heart by saying to myself what you say to me. Amen.
Farewell to Shadowlands 