The Things That Hold Our Heart

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

We're pretty good at fooling ourselves when it comes to the list of things that hold our hearts. We're good at coming up with excuses as to why certain things are not idols in our lives. We justify our need for them as we lie to ourselves about where they truly rank. Yet, we never realize the list of things that hold our hearts until it's time to give them up. We never realize the long list of places that hold our peace. We never realize...until God says go. It's through the journey of "going" where we find where our peace lies. God sent Moses through the dessert and Esther to be queen. He sent Paul to prison and Peter to the Gentiles. He sent His One and only Son to the cross. When God says go it usually doesn't make sense. It usually looks crazy. It takes surrender. It takes loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind. It takes being okay with letting go of things that occupy your heart. What idols in your life are keeping you from the calling God has on your life? Is it leaving the comforts of home? Is it saying goodbye to family? Is it the fear of failure? Is it simply changing your schedule? Is it an addiction? Is it your income? What is your peace dependent on? What things hold your heart? As followers of Jesus our hearts should want nothing more than to bring glory to God. Our worlds revolve around our comfort zones and our feelings which make it hard to admit to the idols in our lives. It's even harder to lay them down and go where He's sending us. Wherever God is sending you in this season know that He is faithful and trustworthy. His plans are far greater than your own. He is using you to be His hands and feet. He is using you to bring glory to His Son. He is using you to make disciples of all nations. The sacrifice of the temporary things and temporary feelings that have reigned in our lives are so minimal compared to the joy of knowing and loving the Lord. Ask the Lord to reveal to you the things that you're holding on to. Trust that His peace will guard your heart and mind. No matter how hard it is let go of everything you've been replacing Him with and watch as He uses you for His glory. We pray that peace would break every chain as you walk away from the idols in your life. May you be strengthened and fully equipped as you strain towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.