Let it be Springtime in your Heart!

Let it be Springtime in your Heart!

Springtime is here!  With the harsh winter the East Coast of the United States endured, (pictured is a Chicago city street, but no doubt Boston and the New York area)-- all are looking for spring tulips to pop through the ground!

You know, I think everyone should be growing some kind of plant—whether it is in a pot, several containers, or in a garden.  (I just planted sunflower seeds, and the little plants are about two inches tall now.)  Planting seeds or bulbs in good soil, watering and taking care of them is cooperating with God in making something creative, beautiful and productive.  The analogy of tending our hearts to tending our gardens is an apt one, because as gardening takes forethought for a desired outcome, so does thinking about our hearts and their contents. 

Sometimes I think that folks miss the point—I mean, how many times have I heard people comment about watching what they need to clean up their mouths, be more careful with their words!  Jesus said, “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”¹ It is difficult to change what comes out of our mouths without changing what is in our hearts.

And how about our thoughts?  If indeed we are what we think, once again we must pay attention to our hearts.  Let me take you back to the garden—healthy gardens get ‘spring’ cleanings—when vines are trimmed and neatly tied in place … when old leaves and dead material are cleared away from beneath bushes, so that new growth gets sunshine and fresh air … so that little buds can flourish without being affected by decay.

Are you bold enough to ask God to identify what might need to be cleared away in your life—things like sloppy language, selfish ways, proud or self-centered thoughts, or habits that are not beneficial?   “Search me, O God, and see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”² Tis one of my favorite verses, and invites God to take a look at our hearts.

Or perhaps you and I have grown lax, and should institute or refine some good and godly disciplines, just like tying up a vine, making it strong.   For instance, I know I am a better woman when I meet with Jesus every morning—in the Word and in prayer.  Which means in order to make my morning wakeup, I need to get in bed at a reasonable time the night before.

Hmm, what is the last verse I committed to memory?  Perhaps another should be tucked away, training my mind on good and right things.  Here’s a practical verse:  “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”³  Choose an impactful verse, write it down, and memorize it.  Ah come on, let it be springtime in your heart!

Christine

PastorWoman.com

^{1 – Luke 6.45}

^{2 – Psalm 139.23-24}

^{3 - Romans 12.2 NLT}