Trailer #2 - All Our Hearts

Where You're Going Podcast - hosted by John Liddle

At my church we have 10 values. One has been burning my heart lately:

“WE DO EVERYTHING WITH ALL OUR HEART“

I don’t get this right all the time. I don’t think I get this right half the time, honestly.

Let’s break this thing down just a bit. I’m picking out two key words: EVERYTHING and ALL.

“EVERYTHING“

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” – Colossians 3:23

Here’s the deal. If I’m going to do EVERYTHING with all my heart (or “whatever” as Paul says here) I’d better be doing the right thing in the first place.

I don’t want to overeat with all my heart, or speak poorly about someone with all my heart. Do you?

No!

I want to listen to someone with all of my heart. I want to lead my kids with everything I’ve got.

SOMETIMES “EVERYTHING” IS HARD

Think about those things that are just unavoidable that drain you: The client at work you can’t stop complaining about. The commute that’s an hour each way.

Remember, Paul was actually talking to slaves in the verse above!

They had it WAY worse than we do. Yet, he said to do the hard things with all your heart!

I believe it’s to our benefit to lean in to those tough things. If that client is high-maintenence, double down on how you serve them. Let there be no hint of exasperation in your voice. Praise God that you have a chance to serve them.

Make that hour commute a chance to learn, or catch up with a friend on the phone. Be grateful for that dedicated time where you can’t get wrapped up in exhausting multitasking.

“ALL”

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:30-31

So we’re supposed to love God with all of it. Everything we’ve got.

God is first. Our first love, because we’re His first love.

And a big way we love God is by loving others. Loving others with everything we have. Selflessly and sacrificially. Putting others ahead of ourselves.

Holding nothing back.

BONUS: “HEART”

But what do we do when we discover we are holding back? What do we do when we realize that despite what feels like our best efforts, the heart posture is just not there?

This is what I’m wrestling with. And it’s ok to wrestle. It’s ok to step back and re-prioritize.

Because I know I want to do everything with my whole heart.

But I don’t want to freeze.

So I’ll give myself a little while to figure out what my heart can do. Then I’ll fire my big heart up again and sprint after that new focus with all my heart.

Because anything less than 100% just won’t bear good fruit.