Secret Heart

Long drives in the car alone have proven to be super restful for me. Today, I couldn't help but be grateful for everything The Lord has saved me from. For redemption from a broken past, and provision for a bright future. My heart used to be very hard, but I was good at hiding it from the people around me. And as time went on, I pulled myself away from those who meant most to me. One of many factors that played into this was a secret heart I hid, with selfish intentions behind all of my actions. 

My friends and I often say "God knows your heart." And I completely and fully agree with this statement. It is most adequate that God, the one who knows us better than any other, will be the one to judge us. But I think this is often used as an excuse to defend ourselves and our motives to those around us. 

Prior to walking with Jesus, I didn't know that there existed a difference between pleasing God and pleasing people. I have had to really put effort into examining the incentives I had behind doing things. 

---For example, do I serve others so people think I'm a nice person, or do I serve others so they see Jesus as the true servant in my character.

---Do I give money to the church so they see me tithing (donating), or do I give money because I truly understand that Jesus was generous and all things come form Him?

---Do I forgive a friend to partially ignore heartbreak, or do I forgive because Jesus first forgave us? 

The answer is: God knows your heart behind everything you do. Anything I ever did because I cared of my reputation means absolutely nothing if Jesus wasn't my motivation for doing such actions. Instead of turning to myself, I now know I have to look unto Jesus. 

I have learned that what is most important is dependent on what God thinks, not people. People can't see your secret heart. They don't know your agenda. But with God, it's already all out in the open. And you can't hide anything.