How many times have I served others, not just because it was the right thing to do, but because it also lent claim to a bit of self-righteousness as others watched me do it? How many times have I put forth more effort to show kindness or compassion to people inside the walls of my church than to those living within the walls of my home? How often do I aim for excellence when someone is watching but forget to aim consistently for excellence simply because my God is always watching? And He’s always most interested in my heart. The Bible is clear. God doesn’t want my good deeds to be aimed at gaining the applause of people. He wants me to have a pure heart and motives undergirded by a desire to live a life pleasing to Him. Even if no one else is watching. In my Christian journey there will be times when I will need work. There will be times where my heart is not quite right or my motives are not necessarily pure. I still have room to grow and mature. And it’s OK. And that’s OK if you do, too. The good news I’ve learned as I grow in Christ is that my heart can change. God is a loving Father who is interested in my heart and willing to take the time to teach me. He’s willing to go the distance, guiding me along the path to spiritual maturity. I desire to have a pure heart and pure motives, but if I’m honest, sometimes I miss the mark. God can help me be aware that He is ever present and to live as though He is watching. Where I have developed the habit of keeping up appearances, He can teach me what it means to live for an audience of One. (devo from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Written by Chrystal Evans Hurst)
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 11:41:48 +0000
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