“I
know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.
All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent” (1
Chronicles 29:17a, NIV).
Do
I ever look at the gifts of my heart, and ask if they are given with
integrity? Whatever I give–whether
love, friendship, compassion, time, a listening ear, advice–must
be given willingly. They must be given with honest intent. There is
no hidden agenda. There is no subterfuge. There is no mask. They are
given because of His love and His work in my own heart. What I give
away should not be given to make me feel better about myself. I
should give because of His love in me... a love that sees that the
need in someone else is greater than my own could ever be.
This
life in Jesus is not about me. Whatever I give or do in His name
should come from what He creates within my life, and never from my
any fabrication. He will constantly test my heart to see if it is
filled with integrity and honesty. If I draw close to Him, He will
draw close to me (James 4:8a), and His presence will reveal the
intentions of my heart. I will be stripped before Him. Nothing will
be hidden. In that moment, I will know if He is pleased with me or
not.
I
know, my God, that you always test my heart. I know that you always
yearn for what I do or give in your name to be born of honesty and
integrity. Lord God, I want what I give to come from a heart that has
been purified by you. Forgive me for anything I have ever given that
has come from other motives than what you desire. Always create
in me
a pure heart, O God, and
renew your steadfast spirit within me. Then I will be refined by your
love. I will be made new.... and what I give away will come from a
heart that is honest and true.
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