Planting Seeds
The condition of our heart and the quality of our life is the result of our effort. A pure heart, healthy relationships and successful careers don't just happen. We have to work for them. But the quality of our heart and it's connection to Christ is the foundation of our success.
But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.
1 Peter 3:4 Amplified
The word "adorn" is a verb. It is an action that we carry out. We have to make the effort to protect and nourish our heart with the Word of God.
Effort is mandatory for success. If you want a successful relationship, marriage or job, you will have to work at it. The same rule applies to your heart. God cannot help you with anything you hold back from Him. You have to be willing to make any changes necessary to keep your heart pure. Your heart is the home of Jesus and just like the house you live in, you have to work at keeping it clean and orderly. But how exactly do we "clean our heart?"
Cleaning our heart begins with making good decisions and seeing them through to completion. It means doing the right thing - all the time, every time. You will have to make some tough choices and refuse to let your feelings run your life. In the beginning, it will seem very awkward and difficult but with practice it becomes second nature.
Let's look at the cleaning process from the Biblical equation of: Seed + Time = Harvest.
The following list of seeds is not a complete list. I am sure you can think of some more that would apply specifically to you but it is a something to get you thinking. A seed is:
- your effort to make changes
- setting limits and boundaries
- obeying God
- getting rid of useless and harmful things
- spending time with God
- reading your Bible
- trusting God
- not saying everything you think
- controlling your reactions and behaviors
- filtering your thoughts
- choosing what you watch or listen to
- maintaining order
- letting go of fear
- putting the needs of others ahead of your own
- respecting the authority in your life
- loving people
- forgiving those who hurt you
- living by the Word of God
- picking up after yourself
All these actions are seeds. They are choices you make both consciously and subconsciously everyday that reflect and influence the health of your heart and ultimately shape your life. It will take some time to plant your seeds. You cannot make all the necessary changes at one time and you will not do them right every time. Give yourself a break and don't expect perfection. Do the best that you can and when you mess up, apologize and get back at it. Don't quit!
Time is added to the seeds because you didn't get where you are overnight. Just as your life now is built on the decisions you have made in the past, it will take consistent action on your part. You will have to practice these actions a lot. And you have to do them over and over and over and over and over again (you get the picture, right?).
Some of these seeds will produce a harvest of joy and peace in a short time. Others will take a little longer and there will some that will require more time than you think is needed. But don't lose heart. Jesus promises we will harvest whatever we plant (Gal. 6:9). Your efforts to take care your heart will result in the harvest of a gentle and peaceful spirit.
The harvest of a healthy heart comes from planting good seeds.
Heidirn
But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.
1 Peter 3:4 Amplified
The word "adorn" is a verb. It is an action that we carry out. We have to make the effort to protect and nourish our heart with the Word of God.
Effort is mandatory for success. If you want a successful relationship, marriage or job, you will have to work at it. The same rule applies to your heart. God cannot help you with anything you hold back from Him. You have to be willing to make any changes necessary to keep your heart pure. Your heart is the home of Jesus and just like the house you live in, you have to work at keeping it clean and orderly. But how exactly do we "clean our heart?"
Cleaning our heart begins with making good decisions and seeing them through to completion. It means doing the right thing - all the time, every time. You will have to make some tough choices and refuse to let your feelings run your life. In the beginning, it will seem very awkward and difficult but with practice it becomes second nature.
Let's look at the cleaning process from the Biblical equation of: Seed + Time = Harvest.
The following list of seeds is not a complete list. I am sure you can think of some more that would apply specifically to you but it is a something to get you thinking. A seed is:
- your effort to make changes
- setting limits and boundaries
- obeying God
- getting rid of useless and harmful things
- spending time with God
- reading your Bible
- trusting God
- not saying everything you think
- controlling your reactions and behaviors
- filtering your thoughts
- choosing what you watch or listen to
- maintaining order
- letting go of fear
- putting the needs of others ahead of your own
- respecting the authority in your life
- loving people
- forgiving those who hurt you
- living by the Word of God
- picking up after yourself
All these actions are seeds. They are choices you make both consciously and subconsciously everyday that reflect and influence the health of your heart and ultimately shape your life. It will take some time to plant your seeds. You cannot make all the necessary changes at one time and you will not do them right every time. Give yourself a break and don't expect perfection. Do the best that you can and when you mess up, apologize and get back at it. Don't quit!
Time is added to the seeds because you didn't get where you are overnight. Just as your life now is built on the decisions you have made in the past, it will take consistent action on your part. You will have to practice these actions a lot. And you have to do them over and over and over and over and over again (you get the picture, right?).
Some of these seeds will produce a harvest of joy and peace in a short time. Others will take a little longer and there will some that will require more time than you think is needed. But don't lose heart. Jesus promises we will harvest whatever we plant (Gal. 6:9). Your efforts to take care your heart will result in the harvest of a gentle and peaceful spirit.
The harvest of a healthy heart comes from planting good seeds.
Heidirn
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