A Heart Set Free

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.

Psalm 119:32, NIV

It’s that time of year when we can’t escape red and pink hearts—they’re everywhere. What a great reminder for us to do a self-examination of our hearts. But beware, because instead of being red and pink, this examination is pretty black and white.

Sometimes it may be hard to describe what a heart set free feels like, but we sure know even at this minute if we are having heart problems. My heart feels locked up when it is overcrowded with the cares and distractions of life that are not discarded at the feet of Jesus.

Take a moment right now and read Psalm 119:32, which is found just about in the exact middle of the Bible. Then answer the question below by checking the appropriate box:

Is your heart set free? Yes No

How’d you do? Whichever box you checked, one thing is worth noting: you and I will never experience a heart set free if we are not in Christ. Because of Christ’s indwelling by His Spirit, we receive His nudge when we’re off track. We feel good inside when we do the right things, and we lack peace when we let our focus stray from Him. When we don’t obey Him, we feel unsettled. That’s the Holy Spirit convicting us that our hearts are not right with God.

There is no room in our hearts for contradictions! I told our daughter when she was growing up that good self-esteem comes from doing the right things. When we have right standing with God in Christ, we want to do the right things because His Holy Spirit resides in us. We’re made in His image, to bring glory and honor to Him. That is true heart freedom!

Let’s start living free, always tuning in to Christ’s Spirit! Write down one thing you can do to help yourself tune in more consistently to the Holy Spirit’s nudges and stay on course with Him.