My just-turned eleven-year-old runs through the checks for her bunny care again, “Food, water, both locks.” She has two so she says it again, “Food, water, both locks.” I had been recently wondering if she’s ready to get the third one we will pick up today. Her goal is to breed and be involved in making sure that the babies will survive. I think she’ll do well. She’s growing in her knowledge and maturity. She’s learned how to “keep” rabbits. She knows when they need protection, nourishment, interaction, and affection. She’s become an expert at “keeping” her rabbits.
My question this week is:
Am I an expert at keeping my heart?
At the same time, I’ve been considering this third bunny and Ruthie’s rabbit keeping, I’ve been meditating on this verse from Proverbs 4:23:
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.”
Vigilance – the quality or state of staying alert, especially to possible danger.
As I’ve meditated on this passage and a few others from the same chapter in Proverbs, I’ve noticed that I need to be more vigilant in some areas. I could stand to nourish my own heart with truths about certain things. I need to protect it more vigilantly from certain thoughts. My heart needs change weekly, sometimes daily. I’m reminded that this is a vigilant process. Just like Ruthie’s rabbits; without protection, nourishment, interaction, and affection, the rabbits will not survive or thrive. My heart has the same needs. If we truly believe that true life flows out of us from the internal fullness of the Holy Spirit, wouldn’t we do everything we can to care for our hearts?
The fact that we are called in scripture to keep our hearts, reveals the truth that our hearts can be impacted by lack of care and unhealthy influences. It reveals that we have a part to play in the work God is doing in us. His life fills us, but we must choose to cooperate with it. We must choose to interact with it, nourish ourselves, and protect it.
“Let your eyes look directly forward and your gaze straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” -Proverbs 4:25-27
So after I asked the question, “Am I keeping my heart with all vigilance?” I ask another question because there is always an area that needs tending to. Like the rabbit keeping, as long as we’re alive, there is never an end to heart keeping. There is always an area that needs our vigilance.
The next question is, “What can I do to cooperate with Christ in keeping my heart in this area?”
Blessings to you as you actively engage yourself in keeping your heart, from which flows the very wellspring of life, the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
I’d love to hear what you do to keep your heart with all vigilance. Do you have time with the Lord each morning? Do you ask yourself a question? Please share!
If you would like more questions to ask yourself and others, sign up for my newsletter below and you’ll receive a free booklet I’ve put together called Asking Is Loving as well as a free course on being transformed by God’s Word called Empowered By Truth.was
I’m linking up with these amazing bloggers this week:
This is a hard question. I do not believe I am keeping my heart right. It wanders too much. Danger could be lurking and I might not see it, hear it, feel it in my heart. Thank you for this excellent reminder of the importance of staying near to the One Who holds my heart and being vigilant as to my whereabouts in this world, physically and spiritually.
Thanks for being honest. I think we would all say the same. This is why Jesus came, right? Prone to wander. He has sealed you with the Holy Spirit even though you wander at times. Grace and peace to you!
Keeping (or guarding) my heart is difficult during this season. I rely usually on gatherings with other believers to help. That isn’t a viable option now. (Zoom is not the same!) I’m listening to more hymns and reading more catechism.
Hi Karen, thanks so much for visiting. You would think that having some space from people might slow us down to contemplate our hearts more and thus helping us to keep our hearts. This doesn’t seem to be the case for most of us. Our situation has proven what we already knew as Christians. We need each other!!! You’re right…Zoom isn’t the same…yet I am thankful for what it brings to the table right now. Heidelberg or Westminster? I love both. 🙂 I think music and catechism are wonderful ways to guard our hearts!
I’m using the New City mostly. I use that as a Sunday school teacher and I’ve been making videos each week for the kids. I also have been reading the Heidelberg. I love Westminster also but 52 week formats are SO convenient.
I’ve wanted to try the New City but wasn’t sure if I should veer away from what we’ve always used. I love the wording of the Heidelberg! I know you must be a blessing to kids in Sunday School!
Thank you for this reminder of a verse I’ve often quoted but need to remember for myself.
Hi Elizabeth…it’s always nice to re-discover a scripture. Have a blessed Sunday!
Yes. It’s keep your heart, which is active and ongoing. I just wrote a blogpost for tomorrow that talks about getting wisdom in the same way. I’m so happy that I stumbled across your post this morning.
Great! I will come by to read your post! Thanks!
Proverbs 4:23 is one of my favorite verses. To tell the truth, I’ve not been as diligent this spring as I should, and I’m grateful for your encouragement here.
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Thanks, Richella! I’m blessed that you visit and feature me! I love your beautiful linkup!
Vigilance is so important. I wrote a couple of posts on setting a watchman over your heart because it is such an important topic!! Thank you for sharing this wisdom and thank you for linking up at Worth Beyond Rubies!
I like the idea of being a watchman over one’s own heart. Thank you for your linkup, Diane! It’s a blessing to the community of Christian bloggers!