A Tell-Tale of The State of The Heart

In the journey of life, one question often lingers in our hearts: 

What truly holds the utmost importance in our lives? 

The answer, for many, immediately gravitates towards family, a loving spouse, and cherished children. Yet, a deeper inquiry arises - are we living in alignment with these values?

Values, you see, are not merely lofty words uttered but are illuminated through our deeds, evident not in what we proclaim but in what we practice.

In fact, I wouldn’t even need to ask a person that question to know the answer. All I would need is to look at is their calendar and their credit card statement. 

How one allocates their time and resources unveils their genuine priorities, showcasing what they prize, cherish, love, and adore. It's an unfiltered window into the soul, revealing the essence of their being.

Certainly, we all have fundamental needs that necessitate monetary resources - sustenance, shelter, transportation, and more. However, beyond these essentials, how an individual chooses to allocate their financial surplus serves as a stark indicator of their true priorities. It's in this distinction that we unearth the essence of our values.

This notion may appear overly simplistic, but it resonates deeply with the wisdom imparted by Jesus when he said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." 

It's a profound reminder that once the necessary items are paid for, what a person does with the money that’s left over will tell you what he esteems more highly than anything else. 

Here’s my loving challenge to you today.

Let us cease the mere lip service and truly elevate the main thing to its rightful place.

When Zig Ziglar was asked what he thought his greatest secret to success was, he replied - “I made sure I had a home court advantage.”

He further states, “because what happens at home has a dramatic impact on what you’re going to be able to do out in the world. So I always put my family first. If things are good at home, you have a better chance of being successful out in the world. If you’re worried about what’s happening at home, I guarantee you you will not be nearly as effective out in the world. So putting your family first bolster your success to succeed outside the home.”

Why do we want to succeed anyway?  

Often, the innermost drive, the deepest motivation, emanates from our desire to provide for and contribute to our family's well-being. We aim to furnish them with security, comfort, and the key to future opportunities.

In the end, when we look back at our lives and how we lived, what mattered most will be the love we shared with those that mean the most. 

Author Ann Voskamp poetically captures this essence, proclaiming, “We do what we do, because of who or what we love. Love decides.”

Not cars, coins, houses, boats, degrees, titles or applause;  it is our family and significant relationships that serve as both the means and the ends of life's journey.

Let’s stop empty talk and actually start studying and giving our best attention to what we say is life’s most important value. 

Rooting for your Home Court Advantage,

Brock 

P.S. We are called to love one another. Relationships and community are at the center of that directive. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.