Last week I was listening to a sermon by Simon Manchester entitled “Grow and Guard”.

Two simple verbs and yet there’s so much in the command. I’ve been reflecting on them this last week.

During youth group days we were always instructed to be aware of areas in our spiritual life which needed growth. These days I find that when I try to think of what those areas are, my mind draws a blank. I’m too tired to be able to think.

So, you might draw the conclusion that God is telling me through this that I am too busy, too active. I need to slow down.

It’s just that, I work hard to listen to God and only do things that I am genuinely convinced He wants me to do. Sometimes living as a Christian, we live through very busy seasons. To tell someone that they need to work less, may actually be telling them the opposite of what God is saying.

We need to be careful.

We grow through service. We don’t only grow by sitting and studying the word in a monastery or nunnery.  

Or Bible College.

Our God is too practical for this. His people are active in his world, as his ambassadors.

However, as we work for Him in this world, we do need to keep guard.

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

We can easily be in God’s world working for Him and having our hearts damaged: by hurt, by our own sin, by those against us, by complacency.

Our hearts can be hurt easily and hidden from others. We may seem positive and enthusiastic, but the heart knows the true score.

And God does too. That’s why we rely on Him, not only ourselves, for the growth and the guarding.

We can pray and ask God for help, that we might grow in His grace and our obedience.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Yours guarding her heart,

Alison