Follow Your Heart

Follow Your Heart to Find God’s Purpose

I recently watched a video from a church I sometimes follow online. On this day, a guest minister was filling in for the pastor. When it came time for him to speak, he opened his notebook to his prepared notes. However very shortly into his message, he put the notes aside, pulled up a stool, and began telling stories about his own personal life. It was as though he wanted to get some things off his chest to a captive audience.

One of the stories that stood out to me was how he had wanted to be an evangelist in his younger days, but his parents talked him out of it in order to help his daddy out at the church he pastored. He later realized that their goal was to prepare him for the day he would take over as pastor upon his daddy’s retirement, which he did for many years. Now in semi-retirement himself, the desire he had had of being an evangelist seemed to weigh heavily on his mind, as he repeated this part of his story a couple of times with an array of emotions.

An overwhelming sadness swept over me as I listened intently to this part of his story. It left me wondering, “Did this man not pursue what he really wanted to do in life out of loyalty to his parents? Was he afraid of losing their approval of him?”

Obviously, I can’t answer those questions. But, what I do know is how important it is to follow your hearts when it comes time to fulfilling your purpose for God and not what someone else thinks we should do.

The question is “Can you trust your heart,” at least that was the main question I had when I felt led to chart a new path. I cried out for months, “Is that You, God, or is that me?” I explained myself to God by saying, “You know, Lord, if what I feel You are saying to me was spelled out in the Bible with my name attached to it, I wouldn’t hesitate one minute to obey. But, this is different. It is not You I don’t trust; it is myself that I don’t trust!”

The turning point came for me from an Old Testament scripture that says: “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14 NIV).

This clearly showed me that we don’t have to go looking here and there for the voice of God – it is within our hearts. God just wants us to obey, not only His written word, but also what He places on our hearts. Just as we know the voice of our earthly father, spending time with the Lord gives us a heart to know Him when He speaks. Of course, it is always wise to seek Godly counseling for added confirmation.

Should opposition arise, we must heed to the words of the Apostle Paul, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10 NIV).

And isn’t that what purpose is all about – being a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ?

How I pray that this minister finds healing, and if being an evangelist was what God called him to be to fulfill His purpose for Him, may he pursue it in his latter life. It is never too late.

Reflection

Have you ever felt a nudge on your heart to pursue a particular path in a new direction, but questioned your own heart? If so, explain.
There may be several reasons why one delays or chooses not to follow their heart, some of which are: loyalty to family, wanting the approval of others, thinks it is too risky, afraid of being misunderstood, wrong timing, fear of the future. Have you ever been faced with any of those reasons or perhaps another one when charting a new path? If so, explain.
After reading this minister’s story, what does Galatians 1:10 mean to you and how can you apply it to your life?

Goals

Write one goal you can accomplish today (at home, at work, with family, etc.) that will allow you to live out your purpose.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ? (Galatians 1:10)