Be Real

Joel 1-3; Psalm 130; Proverbs 29:21-22

Much of life is spent going through the motions, doing just enough to convince people that you’re alive and active and worth knowing—then sinking into bed, exhausted and apathetic. We know that people judge us by our accomplishments, and we work our tails off to impress them, even if our hearts aren’t in it.

But God is much less concerned with our accomplishments and activities than with our hearts. Not that we can impress Him with our hearts. But He sees them. He knows them. And He therefore knows whether we’re being real with Him or not. He expresses His desire for people whose hearts are truly focused on turning to Him in Joel 2:13—

Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

God is gracious, but He’s gracious on the basis of our hearts, not of our impressive outward displays of humility, self-discipline, or anything else. So how are we trying to catch God’s attention? Through half-hearted but effort-filled outward displays of spirituality? Or through hearts torn to pieces by the recognition of how sinful we are and how much we need God’s grace?

Father, help me to seek You with my heart always, both when I’m physically energetic and outwardly solid and when I’m drained and lethargic. May my heart not be lazy about knowing You.

How has God opened your eyes to the laziness and apathy of your heart toward Him?