Today’s guest contribution comes from:
Josh Sorensen (@joshsorens3n),
Associate Pastor, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (@calvarychapelcostamesa)
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Being measured and evaluated is a part of life we just can’t get out of. From the moment of birth, no sooner than we take our first breath, we’re being measured by how long we are, what we weigh, what time we were born. As we grow into childhood we are yearly measured by what percentile we are compared to other children. In school we get stars for performances, grade point averages, and these kind of evaluations continue throughout the rest of our lives.
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But how does God measure and evaluate a person’s life? In 2 Chronicles 16:9 it says “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” God is looking for a heart that is postured towards Him. When Samuel was talking to King Saul in 1 Samuel 13:14 he says “the Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart.” Of course he found this person in the obscurity of a little town in Bethlehem, a young, humble shepherd boy by the name of David.
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What was it about David that made God take note of his life in such a way? It wasn’t that David had a perfect heart (far from it), or even a big heart, but he had the right kind of heart. David’s life is marked by many failures, but his failures were marked by genuine sorrow, confession, and repentance. He was so desirous to please the Lord that he would turn from his sin and take the steps to keep himself close to God. In all of his struggling, he maintained a heart of worship and an attitude of gratitude.
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Today God’s eyes are still looking for this kind of heart. What will He find in our generation in 2020? Is there another David out there? He is not looking for perfect performance, but a surrendered life. Because once He has your heart, He is more than willing to change your heart.
James Travis 