Centering Our Hearts
One of the most important biblical topics is your own heart. Throughout the biblical story, God shows that He is not nearly as interested in your money, time, or service as much as He is your heart.
Why is this important? Jesus taught his disciples that the heart is the center of our lives. Our emotions and our desires flow from the condition of our heart. If God gets access to our heart, then the rest of our lives follow after.
In Matthew 6:21, Jesus says that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. The things that we treasure in our life reveal where our heart truly is. The things that we think about, spend our money on, and use our energy to attain—that is where our heart is.
But it's not enough to just not let our hearts dwell on those things. Instead, we need to train our hearts to dwell on Jesus. The apostle Paul encourages us to dwell on the things that are of God:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Philippians 4:8 NIV
This type of thinking moves our heart to cherish Jesus as our treasure above everything else on earth.
If you’re honest with yourself, where would you say your treasure is currently? What are the things you devote your time to and spend your money on? Consider how those things reveal where your heart truly is. Spending time in God’s Word and in prayer are great ways to reorient our hearts back toward God.
Throughout my own spiritual journey, I’ve found that regular reflection on where I invest my time, money, and energy reveals what truly occupies my heart. It can be challenging to redirect our hearts from worldly distractions, but cultivating a habit of immersing ourselves in God's Word provides spiritual nourishment that shifts our values. Feeding the heart with Scripture—just as the image shares, “What you feed grows, what you starve dies”—has profoundly impacted my perspective. When we intentionally dwell on truths that are noble, pure, and praiseworthy, as Paul exhorts in Philippians 4:8, our hearts begin to treasure what aligns with God's will instead of temporary desires. One practical way I maintain this focus is by setting aside daily time for prayer and Bible reading. This quiet time serves as a heart-check and a spiritual recharge, helping me recognize when I start drifting toward less meaningful pursuits. Sharing faith with others also strengthens this reorientation, as repeating God’s promises encourages growth in our hearts and theirs. The verse Matthew 6:21 has especially resonated with me: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” It challenges me to continually evaluate what I treasure. Is it fleeting success, material possessions, or instead, the eternal and loving presence of Jesus? For anyone seeking to center their heart on God, I recommend starting small—with sincere prayers and meditating on uplifting Scriptures. Over time, these practices cultivate a heart that cherishes Jesus above all, transforming how you live day to day. This journey isn’t about self-discipline alone but about embracing the grace God offers to nurture a heart aligned with His love and purpose.
Praise God and his word.