Resonance Proper

Have you ever heard the phrase “follow your heart?” These words can evoke feelings of passion or intimacy in pursuit of relationships, adventures, careers, and other decisions that affect the trajectory of our emotions. 

However, our heart, which serves as the launching pad of our emotions, isn’t always sending us in the safest direction for our long-term well being. Sometimes our hearts can be misleading, disengaged from the truth and wisdom leading to good and right decision-making.

In fact, Jeremiah called our hearts ‘deceitful and desperately wicked’ (17:9). Passion, as great as it feels, can sometimes neglect or vacate rationality. 

In Proverbs 4:23-27 there is a phrase that suggests that we “guard our heart.” Not allowing our hearts to lead us blindly through life following any and every twinge of feeling. But to carefully consider each object and idea that stirs our emotions from within. 

As you read those verses you notice the proverb begins with the heart, then, moves to other characteristics and parts of the body. The heart is the control center of our being. According to the text, that which resonates in our hearts will eventually become audible from our lips, visible by our eyes, and will ultimately determine the paths of our feet. 

Have you ever thought about this question — do you talk to yourself or do you listen to yourself? Sometimes we speak mindlessly. We say things in the moment that once the words are released we try reeling them back in to limit any negative impact those words may incur. A slip of the tongue, if you will. Remember, Jesus said that the mouth speaks out of an abundance of the heart (Matthew 12:34). 

Proper resonance is always filtered through the gospel of grace and truth. Protecting the pure melody of a Christ-centered life requires guarding your heart against the off-beat choir sung by the voices of evil.

Here’s the focus of today’s reading; let the truth of God’s Word resonate with our hearts for it is the wellspring of life. Spend some time writing down words that describe a heart that is being guarded by the truth and grace of God’s Word in you.