What personal belongings do you hold most dear?
In my personal journey of faith, I have come across various teachings and principles that have shaped my walk with Christ. One particular principle has deeply resonated with me and transformed my perspective—I have learned the significance of holding my heart most dear, cherishing it as a personal belonging. In this blog, I want to share with you my thoughts and reflections on this profound concept and how it has impacted my Christian journey.
1. The Sacredness of My Heart: As I delved deeper into my faith, I realized that my heart is more than just an organ pumping blood—it is the very core of my emotions, thoughts, and desires. Proverbs 4:23 became a guiding light in my life, urging me to “Above all else, guard my heart, for everything I do flows from it.” It dawned on me that my heart is a precious vessel entrusted to me by God, and I have a responsibility to nurture and protect it.
2. Surrendering My Heart to God: Recognizing the sacredness of my heart, I understood the need to surrender it completely to God. I came to realize that my life is not my own, but a gift from the Creator who intricately formed me. It is in surrendering my heart to God that His transformative power can work within me, shaping my desires and aligning them with His perfect will. Psalm 37:4 reminded me that as I delight myself in the Lord, He will give me the desires of my heart.
3. Cultivating a Heart of Worship: Embracing the concept of holding my heart most dear led me to cultivate a heart of worship. I discovered that my heart could become an altar upon which I offer my love, gratitude, and adoration to God. In surrendering my heart to Him, my worship became a deeply personal and intimate experience. Within the sanctuary of my heart, I found communion with the Divine, expressing my love for Him in spirit and in truth. Psalm 95:6 became my invitation to bow down, worship, and kneel before the Lord, my Maker.
4. Protecting My Heart from Worldly Influences: Living in a world filled with distractions and temptations, I realized the importance of guarding my heart from negative influences. I began to intentionally choose what I allowed to shape my heart, recognizing that what I consumed mentally, emotionally, and spiritually significantly impacted my faith. Holding my heart most dear meant making conscious choices to surround myself with influences that edify and draw me closer to God. Romans 12:2 reminded me to resist conforming to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of my mind.
5. The Power of Love in My Heart: As I held my heart most dear, love became the driving force that guided my thoughts, actions, and interactions. Jesus’ teaching on the greatest commandments resonated deeply within me—to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and to love my neighbors as myself. As I cherished my heart as a personal belonging, I was compelled to extend love, compassion, and grace to others, reflecting the love of Christ in my life. Matthew 22:37-39 reminded me of the centrality of love in the Christian journey.
Holding my heart most dear has been a transformative concept in my life, inviting me to recognize the sacredness within me and surrender my life fully to the Author of my faith. Cultivating a heart of worship, guarding against worldly influences, and allowing love to permeate my being has allowed me to experience the fullness of what it means to be a follower of Christ. May we all continue to hold our hearts as treasured belongings, inviting God to shape us into vessels of His love and grace in a broken world.
Message Bearer Cornelius Bella
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