You Have A Say
The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. Proverbs 20:5
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
Insight
You have a say in who you become.
It's very easy to hear a statement like this and begin to list all the things you need to change feverishly. Many items that make the list are attempts to make up for the past or avoid remaining the person that you currently are. Almost all of the selections are some version of behavior modification centered on replacing the bad with the good.
We spend countless hours focusing on how we are going to change and ignore the most crucial question: WHY?
Why do we want to change in the first place? Why do we want to get more organized, lose a few pounds, not lose our temper, repair broken relationships or spend more time in prayer?
Our motive for change tends to be rooted in whether or not we like the way we are. Holding this mindset will not lead to the change we long to see. The purpose of the human heart is like deep water, and only a man of understanding has the power to draw it out.
We must begin to look at our lives to understand why we want to be different. To understand requires us to articulate what we are experiencing and this understanding addresses the more important question of WHY? If the WHY remains unanswered, we might experience surface level change, but our heart remains unaffected. We need to stop managing our behavior and begin to focus on what we see.
When we understand what matters, we can start to pursue what matters.
Jesus invites us into the process of seeing the world differently. When wisdom is spoken about in the Bible, it tends to use the imagery of our eyes awakening. Vision allows us to see what we hope to become and not just what we no longer want to do.
By understanding what matters, we can stop reacting and start responding. It is our values that define the things that matter. Our values get expressed in the way we live our lives and spend our days.
Reflection
Think of the places where you hope to see change. Why do you want to experience growth in these areas?
How would you describe the vision you have for the person you want to become?
Prayer
God, I don’t want to just fix my behavior. I desire to see my heart transformed. It won’t be easy and will require me to be honest about its current state. Help me to be less focused on HOW I am going to change and more concerned with WHY I desire to improve in the first place. Let me live out my values and be driven by a vision centered on You. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.