It's The Matter of The Heart

By Josephine Lim Weston

Two weeks ago I was supposed to send off a blog article entitled "In Everything Prayerfully (Constant Connection with God) - If you want to see breakthroughs and miracles in life put Him first" but I've been busy and occupied with lots that is going on at the moment. Trying to juggle everything as best and efficiently as I can unfortunately my blog article had been placed on the back seat. Although I have been trying to finish the previous article for a while the steam wasn't there, and now I know why. When I am not confident of a certain article I prefer not to continue writing it. I want to write from the heart. Only what is from the heart can touch God's throne of grace - hence you, my readers.

I have always been fascinated by those who are able to establish constant connection with God. They are steady and firm. They never run out of wise words to say and say it at the right time. They are so in tune with God and, when they speak, they warm your heart as if God speaks through them. I personally find it hard to practise constant connection with God with so many things screaming for my attention. Also God has been speaking to me about putting "Him First" for sometime now.

I thought putting God first is about praying first when you wake up and then studying the Bible before you read WhatsApp, Facebook, BBC News and emails. In fact I've got testimonies to share that by putting God first in prayer and study of His Word daily (instead of getting myself busy with the usual routine first then during break time pray and study His word, worship etc) God answered my prayer by enabling me to attend my courses peacefully at the nearby children centre while Jean-Luc having been placed in creche next door. My 10-month old is famous at the children centre for not wanting anyone to look after him except his mummy. But miraculously he has been successfully placed in creche 3 times now for the past 3 weeks without having anyone come running for me. I'm giving credit on putting God first by surrendering all my cares to Him first - ushering His presence into everything I'm about to do. In everything prayerfully - to me that's "Putting Him first". Also God has finally promoted my husband after more than a year wait and it came to pass afrer a time when I started putting God first again in my life instead of pursuing busyness in life and fit God where and when I can.

So what's wrong with "Putting God First" and encouraging others to do so? No it's not wrong at all. Even Matthew 6:33 (Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well) encourages us to. So when I asked the Lord to help me, as I was not able to complete writing the initial intended blog article, I want to hear from Him and write what He wants me to and not what I want to; He said to me, "It's the matter of the Heart". Hence the title of this article. (Each time when I asked the Lord to speak, I've got to be willing to listen humbly as it might mean sacrificing all the effort I've poured in thus far but I would rather listen to God than carry on doing my own thing which bears no fruit.)

It's not so much of putting God first, the action itself but it's the matter of our heart. We can put God first in every single thing we want but our heart might still be far from Him. But when the condition of our heart is right, we will trust in Him and want to involve God in every area of our lives hence it leads to us wanting to establish constant connection and partnership with Him enjoying His communion, grace and peace in our lives throughout the day as much as possible. This is what God is looking for - our Heart.

Putting God first is the first step towards maturity in our Christian walk with Him. But over time the First feeling might wear out but what stays and enable us to continue putting God First in our lives and having that constant fellowship with Him is a heart that wanting to involve God in everything we do, trusting in Him and His promises, let His peace consume our hearts and be led by His Spirit. Not allowing fears to take residence in our hearts but in everything commit to the Lord in prayer.

12 Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and I will [free you and] gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ says the Lord (Jeremiah 29:12-14a)

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

When you know and realise it's your heart that God is looking for then having constant connection with God is not hard anymore. Not only you are able to put Him first but you are able to have this confident trust relationship with God knowing He's there with you always. So now I understand why God answers my prayers not so much about me putting Him first but because I turn to Him with all my heart trusting in Him and I begin to see breakthroughs and miracles happening in my life and my loved ones (against all odds).

Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, people do not gather figs from thornbushes, or grapes from brambles. The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart (Luke 6:44-45).