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Guard Your Heart


Love, love, love...it's a many-wondered thing. I have written about it before because it's a topic near and dear to me. It's also important to remember that we are called to love one another. That is one of Jesus' most repeated messages. Does it begin in our thoughts? In our emotions? Does it stem from the depth of our heart? Our soul? 

 One of my favorite verses, Proverbs 4:23, deals with the importance of our hearts and I often repeat to myself when my thoughts start to take me to a place where I want to take down my walls, allow someone in, or to be vulnerable to what they may have for me. I remind myself of the importance of guarding my heart and not letting just anyone in.  
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. NIV
Keep you heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. NKJV/ASV
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. NLT 
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. ESB
Some believe our "heart" is connected to our soul or is a reference to our soul. I suppose that is where "soul mates" comes from--a connection deep within the wellspring of our life. 

 Recently, I watched a documentary of sorts by Rob Bell/NOOMA called, Flame. It addresses 3 kinds (flames) of love Raya (friend, companion), Ahava (deep love and affection--"I'd rather be here, with her, at this moment than anywhere else in the universe.", "as strong as death, unquenchable as fire" - Song of Songs), Dod (carouse, rock, fondle; physical, sexual element of love). When these three "flames" of love come together and are shared between two people, they create a fire. Yet, each on it's own is only a piece to what God intended for us under the commitment/vow of marriage. They are incomplete on their own, but unquenchable when joined and fanned and fed daily as is intended by the One who made us for relationship.
Lysa TerKeurst posted what she called “the right questions to ask before spending time with a friend boy." (And yes, that wording is intentional.) on her blog. This is part of a book she’s writing for teen girls. Thing is, I think it’s important regardless of your age–especially if you, like me, haven’t always been good at choosing the right guy:
Worship- Who or what does he worship in the shrine of his heart?
Words- Do his words (spoken and written) build others up or tear them down?
Character- Who is he when no one else is looking?
Personality- Who is he around other people?
Interests- What kinds of things does he do to recharge?
Feelings- Do you feel better about yourself when he’s around?
Attraction- Is your attraction to him centered around something that will stay over time?
__________________________
When asking these questions about a boy you are interested in don’t ask based on what you hope will be in the future, ask these questions based on the reality of today.
That last statement is KEY. People can change, but only when they want to and choose to. Every day we have to choose our attitude, choose to love, and choose to be all that we are and all that we want to be. If we don’t choose, we don’t become anything different than we are right in this moment. Opening your heart to someone is not an easy task. It is complicated by life and all that comes with it--including any unresolved issues from that person's past or present life. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth it, though. In the end, choosing to step into relationship with someone can be the beginning of forever if you take your time getting to know the person from the inside out. With the right person, it can be magical. 
Take it one step at a time to see where it goes. There’s no rush as there’s no finish line for this one. Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. You have to decided (seeking God throughout this journey) if all that they have for you is all that He intends for you. Sometimes the wait is long and the journey is arduous, but the destination where your heart will be truly fulfilled is worth it all. 
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