“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” (1Jn.5:21) “My child, give me your heart.” (Prov.23:26).
Heavenly Father, outside and inside forces constantly wage a subtle and fierce war. Unlike the game we played as kids, “capture the flag,” this war isn’t a game. It’s a life and death battle called “capture the heart.” Whatever (or whoever) seizes our heart’s preoccupation—THAT is our treasure, trust, and “functional god”—no matter our theology, creed, or profession of faith.
We’re grateful you address us as “dear children” in this passage, Abba, for we are your children and only your “Fatherly” love can free our hearts from imprisonments and delusions. What can take 1st place in our hearts? As many as our imagination can create, our lusts can crave, and our emptiness can demand. Until you perfect the new hearts you’ve given us—we’re capable (and willing) of wandering after all kinds “crazy” and building all kinds of waterless broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13).
Sometimes a thimble full of people’s approval/affection can define us more than the ocean of grace into which you have joyfully cast us. Though we don’t light candles and sing hymns to our fears, worries, and anxieties, they can preoccupy our attention more than your delight ignites our affection. And then there’s always more money, a different body, a new something, a family that adores us, a group that includes us, etc. etc. etc.
Loving Father, during this last week of August 2025—and in the coming weeks, renew our love for you and refuel our delight in you. Rescue us from our “empty nothings,” lifeless idols, soul-sapping blahs, and life-sucking drivenness. Only your love is better than life. Only you are worthy of our everything, all the time. So Very Amen.