I know, my God,
that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know
I have done all this with good motives.
—1
Chronicles 29:17a NLT
Do I ever really look at the
intention of my heart, and ask if what I do for God is offered from a heart of
integrity? I can believe that I love God with all my heart, but if I don't
continually strive to have a heart of honesty and integrity, then I fall short
of what He desires. Whatever I offer—whether love, friendship, compassion,
correction, time, a listening ear, advice—must be offered from a heart
with no hidden agenda. It must be offered from a heart that seeks nothing in
return. What I do or words that I speak must come from a heart that is broken
of selfishness and needs no recognition. There is no mask. My heart lies open
before Him. He knows the motives of my heart. Another may not know who I really
am, but He does. He rejoices when He finds integrity, but His heart breaks if I
am less than honest.
My life in Jesus Christ is
not about me. Whatever I give or whatever I do in His name should come from
what He creates within my life, and never from anything of my own making. He will
constantly test my heart to see if it is filled with honesty and integrity. If
I draw close to Him, He will draw close to me, 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.
“Search
me, O God,” I pray, “and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me
along the path of everlasting life” (Psalm 139:22-24 NLT). Lord, I am so
thankful that you always search my heart for anything that is not honest or
anything that does not offer integrity. You know anxious thoughts rise up in my
mind when there is something that needs to be addressed. Help me to honestly search
my heart, and humbly admit what needs to change. I need to confess from a heart
that is broken for you so that I might experience the renewing power of your
forgiveness and grace. Forgive me for anything I have ever done or said 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, and what I do or say or offer will come from a heart that you completely
own.
©2017 Lynn Lacher
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