How we spend our time and what we spend our time doing is important. Since school is out in many places and summer is well on its way, many people might be looking to take a break from work and school to have some fun.

Whenever we have a break, it doesn’t mean we have to take a break from learning and doing things sensibly. Such were my thoughts today when I read this verse from Proverbs.

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

Proverbs 23:12 (NIV)

Although some of us might be looking forward to a break, one thing that never takes a break is our heart. Everything we do flows from our hearts. What does the Bible say about the heart?

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

It would be a shame to spend most of our time doing wise and sensible things only to stop doing them because we’re on a break. In such times, when we might want to relax and take it easy, we need to guard our hearts and make sure we don’t allow ourselves to be tempted by our “summer” hearts.

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)

Jesus reminds us about the things we store up in our hearts and how they impact our lives.

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Luke 6:45 (NIV)

He also reminds us that we can invest in our hearts.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

If we invest in our hearts all year long, then take a break, we don’t want to stop nursing that investment, which is why it’s important to be careful of things like the company we keep, and what we listen to.

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

We can have fun and yet still spend time with the Lord. When we’re out having fun with other people, we can spend time with like-minded people who know the Lord. If we’re taking long trips, we have a lot we can listen to. We can listen to music that edifies God or even the Bible on audio to increase our faith.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Romans 10:17 (NIV)

Although it’s great to have a break, we should never take a break from spending time with the Lord because he never stops working.

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be free from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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