The treasure, the heart and the spoken word
They are like trees planted by streams of water,
Which yield their fruit in its season. Psalm 1:3
Read Matthew 12:33—37
Here I am asked to question my heart, the treasure of my heart, and the words that come from me. My heart is where my treasure is.[1] If my treasure is somehow crass and got somehow by my own effort, my heart will be equally shallow. It, too, will be crass. Then I will have to watch my words. The unguarded word will betray me. I’ll be so busy watching my p’s and q’s that it will be exhausting just keeping up pretences in the company of the faithful. Better to long for the true treasure. Better to want Godliness. Better to set my heart on the one who loves me for my good, and who has given himself to me for my blessing. Better to make prayer to him my first and most basic language. When he is my treasure, when my heart is where my treasure is, then I can live without pretence and hypocrisy. Blessing will come from my mouth.
You have stolen my heart, O Lord, and made it yours. Let me long for the things you have made me for. Let me be dissatisfied with what falls outside your will and purpose and plan. I thank you that you have shown me what is good in your eyes, enough to set my heart upon. Let my heart be on your rich treasure, my story be woven into yours, and my language and conversation by unable to suppress your presence in my life.
[1] Matthew 6:21