Follow Your Heart (?)

It’s advice we hear all the time… and maybe even give. The question on the table today is, should I follow my heart when I get a great idea or face a big decision?

Every sermon I’ve ever heard regarding this advice has centered on one verse: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jer. 17:9)

The wicked-heart factor is why we shouldn’t follow our heart. But there’s another Biblical view to consider. I’ll call it the God’s-providence factor.

Look in the Old Testament at 1 Chron. 17:1-4. King David sat in his gorgeous house thinking outloud in the presence of Nathan the prophet, “I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord remaineth under curtains.” This was the hatching of his idea to build a house for God… a temple. What an amazing, noble idea. Nathan thought so. “Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.” In essence, Nathan told David to follow his heart on that. David’s temple-building notion was truly brilliant and spiritual. No need to even pray about that one.

But wait. Next 2 verses. “And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in.”

Why not? The rest of chapter 17 explains how at the moment, God was happy with the current tent dwelling. But there would be a temple, and David’s son would build it, “and I will establish his throne forever.” (vs 12)

Oh. David and Nathan forgot that God has a will and a plan, and we have a need to follow that will and plan. We don’t call the shots. Not even noble shots. God has a master plan for the tapestry of our lives for His beautiful glory, and all we see are the threads that surround us right now. Let’s not presume to know what God wants and rush ahead with our brilliant ideas—or advise others to do so.

So here’s a prayer we can pray when we get a great idea or stand on the edge of a choice. It comes from David’s mouth. Let’s pray Scripture back to God: “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me.” (Psa. 19:13a) And here’s another, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

Jody

Follow the Best Heart

Perhaps the most common piece of advice given to young people when they are on the edge of choosing a job or career is to follow their heart—meaning, “What do you want and feel like doing? Do that.”

I believe that advice misses the mark for believers. Its outcome is highlighted in Ecclesiastes. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. (Ecc.11:9)

Does part B of that verse seem a little like cold water thrown on “follow your heart?” Consider the idea of living with eternity in mind. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Heb. 9:27)

Yes, that also pours cold water on contemporary youthful thinking. But let’s continue looking at the voice of spiritual reason. While He made each of us with certain abilities and aptitudes, let’s remember that as believers, He didn’t give us those for our personal fulfillment. They are for His glory. He has gifted us for the edifying of all. God is our creator and in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

We all have the free choice to follow our heart, but let’s remember that when we face God at the end of our lives, the evaluation will not be made on how closely we followed our heart. In fact, His opinion of our heart isn’t positive. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9)

Knowing that I’m going to face God, and knowing what He thinks of this idea of following my heart, it begs the question, what should I follow instead? What should I tell young people as they are making life decisions?

Here’s an idea. Let’s look at ourselves as God does. We are sheep in need of guidance. Fortunately, He is a shepherd. And not just any shepherd. The Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep. He cares what we do. In fact, He has a master plan for where we need to be. He says, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27) Read John 10. The whole chapter is about this.

Wouldn’t it be radical if we told young people trying to decide what to do with their lives to seek the Shepherd’s heart for what He wants? That’s what’s going to matter at the end of our lives—how well we fulfilled that. Be the voice to young people that leads them to these higher realms. Here are some words of advice to offer:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)

Pray with young people for God’s wisdom and discernment for them. Counsel them to seek God’s heart. Tell them that the end of their life matters, so start working on it now.

Jody