Rediscover the Bible for Life
Living Out Your Heart’s Desire
By Dennis Lee
Even though Job thought God was out to destroy him, he said to the Lord, “You are the one who made me, You formed me with Your hands, I am an intricate unity.” (Job 10:8 paraphrased)
God made every one of us unique. We are an intricate unity of numerous factors. God has formed us and given to us spiritual gifts, abilities, personalities, experiences, and a desire within our heart for him.
The word “heart” is used to describe a whole bunch of different things, like a person’s hopes, longings, dreams, ambitions, and affections. All these things come from out of our heart.
And what you may not even know is that every one of us has a unique heartbeat.
This also is true emotionally. There are some things we care deeply about, while other things don’t even register. Just as God gave us a unique heartbeat, He gave us a unique set of emotions that make us uniquely who we are.
The Bible says, “As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man.” (Proverbs 27:19).
When we look into a mirror, we see ourselves just as we are. In the same way when we look inside our heart, we’ll see who God created us to be. Our heart, emotions, and desires make us uniquely who we are; and God put them there for a purpose.
Our heart determines why we say certain things.
The Bible says, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:34-35)
We say what is in our heart.
The second thing our hearts determine is why we feel certain ways.
The Bible says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
God’s word exposes the truth within. It exposes us for who we really are. It exposes and examines our thoughts and attitudes. In Proverbs 23:7 Solomon tells us that we are whatever we think in our hearts.
The third thing our hearts determine is why we act certain ways.
The Bible says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
We are to guard our hearts because it affects everything we do.
The Bible says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)
Since God gave us these gifts, talents, and desires, we should be putting them to work for Him. We should be putting them to work in our jobs and whatever ministry God has placed us.
Dennis Lee is the senior pastor of Living Waters Fellowship in Mesquite, Nevada.
