TUNE MY HEART
Lesley Lockwood
Today’s Scripture: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23, NIV
Theme: It is my responsibility to listen for and obey the Word of God, so that I stay in tune with Him.
AS ONE
Have you ever had the opportunity to go see an orchestra performance? Before the concert begins, the room is buzzing with anticipation. The concert master (“first chair violinist”) signals the evening is beginning by playing a loud, resounding note: “A.” This is the “A” by which every other instrument in the orchestra must tune to. Without that “A", each instrument could easily be off pitch, just a little. This slight variation in pitch, replicated randomly amongst 30+ instruments could create an environment that would turn the most exquisite composition into a cacophony of noise—which absolutely no one would enjoy. But when tuned, they breathe and sing as one. It is a beautiful sound.
TUNE MY HEART, GOD!
I love the phrase in the old hymn, “Come Thou Fount,” which so beautifully says, “Tune my heart to sing Thy grace.” I’ll be the first one to admit that I can get “out of tune” with the Lord. “Being out of tune with the Lord” is reacting in a way that doesn't show God’s love. It looks like defensiveness. It looks like worry and fear. It shows up in gossip, complaining, indifference, and unforgiveness. It looks like a hardened or numb heart during worship, and it's crystal clear when my first reaction is a lack of self-control.
What’s even more concerning is that being out of tune with the Lord often looks and sounds like being in alignment with the world and its ways. But God has not called us to look like, sound like, or to conform to the world. Rather, God calls us to “Be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (The “re-tuning" of our minds!) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2b, NIV)
GUARD YOUR HEART
Why is guarding our hearts so important? Without knowing God’s will, we wander. Without an anchor, we drift. The Great Concert Master has graciously already given us the “A” to tune our lives to in order to please Him.
One way to stay tuned to the Master is to stay in His Word: “My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:20-23, NIV). Tune your heart to God’s Word. Cling to it. Meditate on it. Let it renew your mind. It will change the “tune” of your life. His Word is pure, unwavering and a firm foundation. Yet, how do we practically “tune in”?
HOW TO TUNE TO GOD
WORSHIP through music! I don’t mean just put a song on in the background and hope it finds its way into your subconscious. I mean, SING! Embrace the truth that's found in the music; think about the lyrics; declare them yourself by opening your mouth and making some actual noise! Did you know that God commands us to worship? To Sing? To clap? To shout? To dance? This is not for selected personality types. NOPE! This is about posture! Worship is a posture intended for everyone!
GET IN HIS WORD! Maybe it’s the actual Bible, an online message, a godly podcast or book; use whatever helps you understand and start breathing in His Word. It doesn't have to be a lot! Pick a verse. Study it. Pray about it. Ask God what He wants to show you through it. Discuss it with a friend. It’s not always about quantity; start with quality.
Make it Personal: Now, OBEY! Walk it out friend. You can do this. One day at a time, one hour, one minute, if need be. We all must go through the process of submitting our wills to His. Each time we do, we grow more in tune with Him. And it's a beautiful sound of worship that we offer when we obey.
Pray: God, I thank You for your Grace. You see where I get out of tune with You and yet You keep drawing me back. Will You help me navigate the moments when I’ve wandered? Help me hear Your truth and walk it out. Your Word is life to me, and I trust You. I want to be in tune with You. In Your Name I pray. Amen!
Read: Psalm 86:12, 51:6; Galatians 5:24-25
Weekly Memory Verse: “Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.” Isaiah 12:4b, ESV