What is the name of the ruler of your heart? Shame? Fame? Game? Or a significant other?

Sometimes shame keeps us from coming to Christ with the mess we’ve made. We think we are not worthy of God. So we keep away from Christian gatherings and God himself. But here’s the news flash: no one is worthy of grace! Just listen to Jesus: “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit.” (Mark 2:17, MSG)

Jesus came just because we are utterly incapable of staying out of mess on our own. Don’t let shame keep you away from Christ. You don’t need to apply self-help first to be good enough to ask Jesus into your heart. Jesus died for sinners not for saints. Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. (1 Tim. 1:15, MSG)

Don’t let fame or game be the ruler of your heart, either. You might think that you know what to do with your life. But both fame and game lead sooner or later to disappointment. Don’t let salvation slip through your fingers because of your pride.

No matter what you are dealing with in your life, Jesus is ready to help you. Jesus knows you inside out and he loves you as you are. Don’t hesitate, walk right up to Jesus and receive grace upon grace!

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. (Hebrews 4:14-16, MSG)

Don’t let your significant other divert you from the right course, either. Sometimes we tend to listen too much to other people in our lives. We want to please them so they would not leave us.  But our heart can have only one ruler. We either obey people or we obey God.

The picture above represents the throne of our hearts – where Jesus rightfully belongs, but so many other things battle for the space. Who is the ruler of your heart? Kick out anyone and everything that does not belong there. Then let’s boldly walk right up to Jesus and accept the help we really need. Because Jesus rules with grace and mercy.

 

Gracious God,
We bring your the mess we’ve made.
Help us, save us, restore us!
Pour grace upon grace on us!
Show us mercy, show us love!
Be the ruler of our hearts!
Be our everything!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What kind of things do battle for the space in your heart?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you keep

Photo courtesy of Stephen Corbett