How is Your Heart?

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19).

How is your heart? Take a second to examine it.

Are you distracted this season?

Lay it at Jesus’ feet.

Are you hurting this season?

Lay it at Jesus’ feet.

Are you overwhelmed this season?

Lay it at Jesus’ feet.

Are you angry with the Lord this season?

Lay it at Jesus’ feet.

Are you experiencing new joy this season?

Lay it at Jesus’ feet.

Are you in one of these places? Jesus asks you to come to Him. He asks you to cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you. If you are overwhelmed, He asks you not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow has enough worries of its own (Matthew 6:34). If you are angry with God, tell Him. He can handle it, I promise (2 Samuel 6:8, Psalm 42:9-11). If you are experiencing new blessings, return to the Giver of good things and praise His holy name.

No matter where your heart is this season, Jesus wants it. He wants your heart and He wants you.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬).

According to David Guzik in his study guide for Matthew 11, “If your yoke is hard and your burden is heavy, then we can say that it isn’t His yoke or burden, and you aren’t letting Him bear it with you. Jesus said it plainly: My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jesus wants to take your hard and heavy burdens and give you His easy and light one.

Here's a prayer that I continually go back to pray: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24).

Mary observed all that was taking place with the birth of Jesus. She kept them and pondered them in her heart. If your heart is distracted, hurting, overwhealmed, angry, or even joyful, I encourage you to look at the story of Jesus’ birth and ponder it in your heart. Keep it close and think on it carefully.

“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew‬ ‭1:21‬).