I recently finished a project of building a fence around our garden. For the past two years we have had to string an electric fence around it to protect our vegetables from deer, rabbits and raccoons. It can be pretty discouraging to work all summer growing a garden just to have some varmint pilfer it. To say the electric fence was unsightly is a bit of an understatement, but at least it did work. This year Lauri and I decided to build something a bit more attractive to blend in with the rest of our garden area, hence the new fence.
I built the fence panels in my shop. They are constructed of cedar lumber and steel wire mesh. Last Monday, I set the posts and installed the new panels. I am pleased with the results and the fence looks good, but of course the true test will be if it deters the local wildlife. The reality is if the fence just looks good, but doesn’t protect my plants, then I did a ton of work for nothing. The fence must perform its function — protecting the treasures within.
Solomon wrote, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV “Above all else” certainly suggests establishing a high priority of protecting your heart. Of course we understand that our heart is who we truly are… deep down inside. It is the part of us that makes decisions, creates dreams and desires and reveals hopes and emotion. Our heart is the part of us that is created in the image of God.
Solomon reminds us that our heart determines the direction of our life, because everything that we do flows from it. The teaching is direct — guarding your heart is essential to keep worldly attitudes from influencing it. It was Jesus who said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 NIV
The Hebrew word for “guard” can also be translated as “a defensive perimeter” — or in other words… a fence. Hmm… so how do we place a defensive perimeter — a fence — around our heart? The book of Hebrews tells us, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV God’s Word can correct our thoughts and adjust the attitudes of our heart. God’s Word reminds us of the true treasures found in our heart because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
So, build a good fence… a strong fence… an affective fence around your heart. Protect it from the influences of the world and lean into the promises found in Christ. Because the reality is… if you lose your heart… you lose a whole lot more than some lettuce to a critter.
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