The Heart of the Matter

"I've been trying to get down to the heart of the matter..." famous words sung by Don Henley.  Today is  Valentines Day and I thought to celebrate the holiday, I would share from the heart, about the heart.  My church is working on a year long project called the 3X Challenge.  It is a commitment to read through the Bible three times this year.  I love a good challenge......and this sure is aiming to please.  The reading plan is sometimes a bit daunting, but it is worth it.  It was through this reading plan that I revisited the saga of Solomon and David. 
In 1 Chronicles 28, David refers to the heart three times.  The chapter begins with David's speech to the people, "I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark...." (verse 2).  He then goes on to give careful instruction to Solomon, David's son, regarding the construction of the temple.  The words of wisdom David gives to Solomon are words that resonate in my heart.  In verse 9 David says,

"As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father and serve Him with a loyal heart and a willing mind..."

What I find so comforting in this passage is the message of intent.  The instruction is to serve God with a loyal heart and willing mind.  The command is love, not perfection.  The advice is to follow one's heart, not circumstance or logic.  So much of my life I have tried to be perfect.  Perfectionism was the goal.  And when I wasn't perfection personified, I would feel defeated and mentally beat myself up.  I was horrible at being perfect and a master at condemning myself.  This seemed to be a vicious cycle I lived in for most of my adult life.  This drive to perfection was founded in the best of intentions.  I just wanted to do things right, make everyone happy and find fulfillment myself.  But when the bottom fell out and the mental beating began, I felt everything but happy and fulfilled. 
It wasn't until I found myself in a place, so far from perfect, that I began to see the love of God in a fresh new way.  My perspective was shifted from "doing" to "being".  Instead of trying to do all the right things and be the example of perfection, I found that God loves me and my heart; not all the accolades and resumes.  Here in 1 Chronicles, we see that God wanted Solomon to serve him with a loyal heart and willing mind.  To me that means my relationship with God isn't about rational and intellectual score cards, but rather a commitment of the heart.  I have heard the expression, "throw your heart over the line".  It means to commit, whole heartedly, to whatever you set your mind to.  When David tells Solomon to know God and serve Him with a loyal heart, David is instructing him to check his emotions, check his commitment, throw his heart over the line.  The second piece of advice David gives is to serve God with a willing mind.  Do we make the choice to follow, serve and love God?  It doesn't mean that we are perfect or right all the time, but do we have the intent to want to love?  David closes his wise counsel with this statement,

 "for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts..."

 Reread that statement....the Lord searches our hearts, not out bank accounts, trophy shelves, office views and facebook friends.  He wants our hearts.  He wants all of our hearts.  He knows our intent and our thoughts.  The expectation isn't perfection, but willingness.
Years ago I attended a business seminar on goal setting and the speaker classified our approach to goals this way - "high intent, low attachment".  What he meant by that was this; we should have every intention to work and reach our goals, but low attachment on the way the goal may come about.  Because the best laid plans are more than likely derailed, it is best to set a goal, give it your all but realize that it probably won't be exactly the way we set out to imagine it.  So don't jump off the ledge if things aren't coming about the way you've planned.  That was great news to me, a text book perfectionist.
I think the same principle can be applied to our Christian lives and our relationship to God.  We can have every intent to serve God and give Him our very best, but we shouldn't give up when we slip and fall or miss the mark by an inch.  Does that give us permission and freedom to sin?  No, in fact Paul, in the New Testament addresses such a belief. (Romans 6)  But it does give us the freedom to ease the need to be perfect.  To breathe, live and love. 
Being it is Valentines Day, where is your heart?  Is it time to get down to the heart of the matter?  Stop trying to earn the Father's love through perfection.  He knows your heart and your thoughts.  He asks for you to love and serve Him with a loyal heart and willing mind.  I wonder if that would fit on one of those little candy hearts??? :)