January 25 True Success Proverbs 4:23
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23)
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote some reflections on success. He said: “How do you measure success? To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a redeemed social condition, or a job well done; to know even one other life has breathed because you lived- This is to have succeeded.” When I read this, I am impressed. I appreciate what isn’t mentioned as much as what is. Emerson does not once refer to money, status, rank or fame. He says nothing about power and control over others, or possessions, or a super- intimidating self-image. There is no emphasis on size, numbers, statistics, and other visible nonessentials in light of eternity. If we read his words again, maybe we missed something the first time. Let’s pay close attention to the verbs: “to laugh…to win…to earn…to endure…to appreciate…to find…to leave…to know….” And all the way through, the main emphasis is outside of our selves. I believe that is the most refreshing part of all. In today’s success oriented environment, with literature and CD’s and lectures, this is rare. If we were to scan through the success propaganda written today, we would find that the focus is on our outer self – how smart we can appear, what good impression we can make, or how much can we own or how can we be in total control, or…and it goes on and on. Yet nothing that I read, and I mean nothing, places the emphasis on the heart, the inner being; the seed of our thoughts, motives, decisions and actions. Nothing, that is, except the Holy Scripture. Interestingly, the Bible says little about success, but it speaks much about the heart, the place where true success originates. It is no wonder that Solomon challenges his readers: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23NIV). That’s right…guard it. Put a sentinel on duty. Watch it carefully. Protect it. Pay attention to it. Keep it clean. Clear away the debris. Remember, it is in the heart where that bad stuff can easily hide, like: …evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly (Mark 7:21-22 NIV). You know, all the things that finally emerge once the sweet smell of success intoxicates us, causing “the wellspring of life” to splash all around us. How important is the heart? It is there that character is formed. It alone holds the secrets of true success. Its treasures are priceless-but they can be stolen. Are you guarding your heart? Honestly, are you? Sin’s ugly and poisonous roots find nourishment deep within our hearts. We may look successful, we may sound successful, we may talk successful, we may even dress for success, and all the while, our hearts may be on a drift. It is possible to be privately eroding from the very things that our mouths are publicly proclaiming. It’s called pretending. A slightly harsher term is hypocrisy…and some can be awfully good at that. Christianity affects the heart. It is not a system of moral conduct or a set of rules that must be obeyed. It is the life of Christ in our souls. Salvation is the work of God in our hearts. The conviction of sin, repentance, faith, and, worship are all works of the heart. The kingdom of God is not in meat and drink, things of the body; but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. These are things of the heart. The state of our natural life depends upon the soundness and vigor of our heart! And the state of our spiritual life depends on the good or evil condition of our heart. Inasmuch as the heart of a person is the most important part of his being, "for out of it are the issues of life", it is only reasonable that it should be guarded "with all diligence". Therefore, I want to encourage you to……Keep Your Heart. Regardless of the actions of this old world, it is not about the circumstances, it is ALWAYS about RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!