On Guard

When I became a mother and held my newborn son the first time, something fierce rose up within me that was not there before. 

Whatever this intense feeling was, I had it bad.  At that moment, I knew I would protect my child whatever the cost.  

Shortly after giving birth, I was officially diagnosed with "Mama Bear" syndrome.  It comes from the Latin words "Don't touch my child or you'll pay dearly."  

When I walked out of the hospital and entered the world with my tiny son wrapped in his warm blanket, an overwhelming responsibility to care for him, protect him and keep him safe transformed me.  I would go so far as to say, I was solemnly sworn in as his personal guard.  

Now, after three children and ten grandchildren, I am on guard all the time!

   

As powerful as the need to guard and protect my children and grandchildren is, God has given me, and you, something dear that He has asked us to protect with the same passion.  

In Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) it says, Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.

In the Bible, there is a story of a father and son that show us how one’s life can get off course when we are not on guard.  

Solomon chose to turn away from God after allowing sin and disobedience to rule his life.  It's ironic that it was Solomon who oversaw the building of the temple and palace, yet with his own hands, he destroyed all that he built by not guarding his own heart.  And just like that, the course of his life was forever changed when he embraced a life of idolatry.  All the good he had done was destroyed.    

Then look at King David, Solomon's father, David had allowed sin into his life when he took another man's wife.  He did not guard his heart or mind.  Then he followed this up with murder.  But unlike Solomon, David chose a path of repentance.  He hated the damage he had done to his heart, and he pleaded with the Lord to make him clean again.  (Psalms 51)

What would happen if I learned to guard my hearts with the same passion and fervor, that I have to protect my children?   

Could this mean we'd have to fully and completely follow and devote ourselves to the Lord?  

• No compromise when sin comes knocking.  
• Don't make a comfortable place for sin to take up residence.  
• Don't give sin a pass or excuse it as acceptable.  
• Be wise about the things that you struggle with and stay far away from them.  

Sin will destroy your heart and alter the course of your life.   

So be On Guard!

P.S. But, if you do mess up--repent and ask God to make you new again. 

Then back On Guard!