All things flow from the heart.

Most people hate Mondays, but I love them. Every Monday night, I have YoungLife small group. I get to share a few hours with a wonderful group of girls, my leader, and her adorable dog. The night is filled with laughs, tea drinking, and Jesus. I always leave with my heart full and perfectly rejuvenated for the Lord. When I was driving to small group, I said a prayer that my heart would be open and that the discussions for the night would make me think and provide me with some learning and growing opportunities. Last night’s topic was one that particularly struck me.

I think I will back peddle just a little bit. Lately, I have been so completely consumed by Netflix, particularly the show Grey’s Anatomy. The week before I left for thanksgiving, I watched an entire season. Over break, I almost finished another one. The show is so consuming and amazing. I am addicted to the characters and knowing what happens next and I am so captivated by every aspect of the show. However, the more I think about it, I am way too obsessed with it. In no way is it good for me to be spending so much time watching Netflix. Looking back, I really did nothing productive the week that I watched an entire season. I didn’t hang out with friends much, I didn’t exercise, and I neglected God that week because I was so consumed. I also began to notice lately that I haven’t been as joyful and complete. Something was missing. That’s when I was struck with understanding at small group.

We began by reading a passage from Matthew 6. Here are a few of my favorite verses from what I read.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” Matthew 6:24-25

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:27

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34

I think there is a lot of really great information in these passages. What I was reminded was how important it is to focus on God, and less on earthly things. Not that earthly things are bad; its okay to enjoy clothes and success and money. Believe me, my entire major and thus my future revolves around clothes and fashion. But the difference is that there is so much more to me than just that. We are allowed to possess earthly things. However, when you place these things at a higher value than God, that’s when it becomes a problem. I think that is what I realized. I was placing things other than God as my highest priority and focusing all my time on that. That is a problem for sure! The passage goes on to say that you can’t serve God and money at the same time. You can’t love God and earthly things equally, because that’s not how our relationship with Him was designed to be. He encourages us to seek him, and we will be given all the things we need. It’s a wonderful promise, knowing that God will provide if we seek Him as our first priority. We won’t need to worry about anything else. Isn’t that amazing? I think my favorite part of this whole passage was the first few verses I mentioned. As everything flows from our heart, it is important to recognize where your heart is. If you place your heart where the earthly things are, that is where you will be. If you place your heart in God, that is where you will be.

I think it is just so refreshing for these little reminders of the way God wants us to live our lives and how badly we need Him to guide us. So, I decided for now to delete my Netflix app. It seems kind of silly, but that way it isn’t a temptation anymore. I can focus on more important things, like friends, God, and schoolwork. I will probably download it again over break when I have more free time, but making sure to keep it at a healthy level. At the end of the day, what matters is not anything on this Earth, but rather pursuing a relationship with Christ. It is so much more fulfilling to know the love of Christ than it is to own amazing clothes, be successful, rich, or have good grades. I want my heart to always be where God is!

Have a lovely day, and remember – everything you do flows from the heart! (Proverbs 4:23)

Kenzie