This existential heading may seem like a strange question to ask of anyone who has been birthed and bathed in the modern world of emancipation, liberation and an insatiable individualism; but it’s THE question every human has hopefully examined even in an otherwise unexamined life. It’s the same question God asks of us every day; and it’s the same question God will always ask of us every day while we spend time on this terrestrial terrain. It’s the same question God will ask of us when we come home to that celestial shore.
You are not responsible for the creation of your life, that is a gift, but you will be accountable for the life you have been given. Was your life about the multiplication of love or the division of love? Was your life about generosity or gluttony? Was your life about gratitude or greediness? The answer to all these questions, is revealed in the singular question, “who does your heart belong too?”
The human heart, like Love itself, seeks to connect with other human hearts. Every person is created to be a creature of community, even introverts. Our hearts seek belonging. To connect with family and friends. To commune with companions. To find comradery with colleagues, citizens and company. To be conjugal cohorts in fellowship with other faith followers.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Words spoken by Jesus who loved us first. The One I have chosen to give my heart to after living a life of loving something other than Love. God is love.
I was richly reminded recently about this ultimate question of allegiance, fidelity and commitment. A question that commences when we all inhale our first breath in this earthly kingdom. A question that concludes when we all exhale our last breath in this earthly kingdom.
This past Saturday evening at church an infant was baptized. A sacramental act that took my mind’s eye back to when my godson was baptized; twenty-eight years ago. An event that punctuated one of my very few appearances in any house of worship.
As I sat there and watched this young couple declare their intention to raise their child in the Christian faith my heart was swimming in a sea of nostalgia. My minds memories recalling when I finally gave my heart to God. No longer a wanderer in the wilderness of this world.
As with my baptism, and all baptisms, there will come days and seasons when each of us will begin to wrestle with the question; what does our heart treasure? Who or what does our heart belong too? Who or what do you desire? Who or what is your faith? We all have a faith.
I was blessed to have been raised in the Christian faith; I was doubly blessed when I returned to the Christian faith. I am forever blessed because my heart truly belongs to Christ even as I walk through the valley of shadows; even when I will inevitably love something other than love.
I don’t remember my baptism; when my young heart was claimed and welcomed into the body of Christ. I do remember being raised and reared by people who were always learning to love God and neighbor every day; including days that were challenging and very challenging.
I would eventually embark on my own journey of the heart. A journey that would lead me further and further way from the Source of all love and life and light. Whatever seeds of faith that blossomed within my young heart were eventually choked and crowded by a continuing anxiety, cries of depression, and a constant craving to compete and collect stuff I did not require nor need.
With each passing year my heart grew heavier and my life more hollow. I had given my heart to the powers of this world. My heart was in rebellion against God.
As I near sixty, I more than likely will never know or be a part of this newly baptized infants journey. What I do know is God will never abandon him, just as God never abandoned me. God wants ALL human hearts to know His love, His grace and His goodness.
God laid claim to my heart with my baptism. God saved my life with my repentance and righteous renewal. God gave my heart the peace that passes all understanding.
Who does your heart belong too?
Peace. God loves you.
If you want to learn more about my spiritual journey, you can read or listen to my award-winning memoir Finding God in Vegas: A Gen X Spiritual Awakening; available on Amazon and all platforms in print, electronic or audio.