Here is the revelation that is shaping my life today – it’s all about my heart. God wants my life to flow from my heart’s engagement with Him.
Luke 6:43-45 NLT
[43] “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. [44] A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. [45] A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
Observation
Are good works – hard works or heart works? The works of a person who follows God’s ways is likened to the fruit produced, “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit.” It’s not that it’s not hard work, but it’s work that flows from the heart. As I am planted in the intimate relationship of Gods design the works of the Kingdom, the expression of His character, this is the fruit that is produced in my life by His presence. I can’t help it, it is the overflow of Him. It’s what comes out of me when I hang out with Him.
“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart.” The presence of God changes my heart, as I walk with Him my heart becomes attuned to Him and His ways, and my heart becomes passionate in its following Him. And a passionate heart can do hard work joyfully. I love that God does not demand my good performance, my good works, as a means of acceptance into His presence. He forgives me and makes me right with Him so that I can always live from His presence, regardless of the bad things flowing in my life, for it is here, in His presence, that the fruit of the life He intended for me overflows. Outside His presence His ways become laws to follow, in His presence, His ways become a joyous bold life to adventure in.
Check what you say. If you want to know yourself, the life you are sowing – listen. “What you say flows from what is in your heart.” You will know your heart by listening to your mouth. I am learning the posture of pausing and taking my thoughts and my statements captive, bringing them before Holy Spirit for His aid in interpreting whether they are truth for life or will destroy life. Here is the wisdom for life. Pause to know the fruit you are producing, if it’s good fruit then work hard from the passion of your heart. If it’s bad fruit, replant. Take the thought captive and change your mind before you sow your seed.
Application
I will never allow the good fruit of the Kingdom of God to become obedience to harsh law that I must submit to. I will always allow the ways of God to flow in my life because my heart has become passionately engaged in His presence to His ways. Following God is hard work of the heart, and I will ensure my heart is engaged.
Response
Thank you that you call me to your presence before you send me to plant the fruit of your life in the world. Thank you for intimacy that fuels passion as your mandate for following. I want to live a big, bold life, thank you that this is the fruit of walking with you. I am blessed.
Meditation
How often do the ways of God feel like stuff you must do so as to be acceptable, rather than a passion He has placed within you?
JOURNEY DEEPER
