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—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. Anything I give should come from His love which
recognizes the need in someone else is greater than my own. I give because of
His love in me.
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 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, and 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 honest and upright.
Copyright © 2017 Lynn Lacher
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