intentionality

the heart is the connecting point, the meeting place between any two persons. the kind of deep soul intimacy we crave with God and with others can be experienced only from the heart. i know a man who took his daughter to dinner; she was surprised, delighted. for years she had been hoping he would pursue her. when they had been seated, he pulled out his day timer and began to review the goals he had set for her that year. “i wanted to burst into tears and run out of the restaurant,” she said. we don’t want to be someone’s project; we want to be the desire of their heart. gerald may laments, “by worshiping efficiency, the human race has achieved the highest level of efficiency in history, but how much have we grown in love?”

we’ve done the same to our relationship with God. christians have spent their whole lives mastering all sorts of principles, done their duty, carried on the programs of their church . . . and never known God intimately, heart to heart. the point is not an efficient life of activity—the point is intimacy with God. “you will find me,” God says, “when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). As oswald chambers said, “so that is what faith is—God perceived by the heart.”

what more can be said, what greater case could be made than this: to find God, you must look with all your heart. to remain present to God, you must remain present to your heart. to hear his voice, you must listen with your heart. to love him, you must love with all your heart. you cannot be the person God meant you to be, and you cannot live the life he meant you to live, unless you live from the heart.


-- john eldredge, waking the dead pp 48–49 (emphasis mine)

above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

-- king soloman, proverbs 4:23

actually, that whole chapter punctuates this truth beautifully:

Wisdom Is Supreme

1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.

2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.

3 When I was a boy in my father's house,
still tender, and an only child of my mother,

4 he taught me and said,
"Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.

7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor."

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.

11 I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.

16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil;
they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.

17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.

21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.

23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.

24 Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.

27 Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.