"With All Your Heart"

 Reflections4LifeTM February 7, 2021

“With All Your Heart”

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 15; Deuteronomy 4; 6; Psalm 86; Luke 10:27…

Mr. Leonard M. Bishop

Anything worth having in life is worth the effort in attaining it. Anything worth achieving requires that we are willing to give our all to whatever it may be. Be it a career, a relationship, a family, a business, etcetera. Whatever we desire to succeed in, it must be met with the investment of all our hearts.

Today's Reflections4life is written to my family. We have suffered tremendously over the past five years. Our hearts have taken some huge hits and losses, and I know it feels like we are losing. I want each of you to know just how much I love you and pray for you dearly. I know it is easier said than done. The transitioning of our Beloved Brother, Uncle, Father, Cousin Leonard Bishop (Bish) has hit a bit differently. I can only say it's because we are used to him being the one that consoles us, and somehow making us smile through our heartache. I can only take comfort in the fact that I know he is no longer in pain, is at rest, and is rejoicing, holding the hugest concert Heaven has seen in a long time and reunited with his beloved, Aunt Nette. We are going to get through this, family. Though we cannot see it right now, and it seems impossible—we are strong. We are resilient. And we have God on our side. 

If I have not spoken to you in a while; if I have not reached out to you—please know, it is not because I have not wanted to. I just have not been able to. Not the way I want. Some of you may not understand what God has been doing in my life. And the truth is, I have not either, but when He lets me know and gives me a full understanding, I will be sure to share it all with you. In the meantime, please know that I love you. That I have been praying for ALL of you Every. Single. Day. There is not a day that goes by you are not loved or prayed for. So, hang in there. We have this as long as we stick together. Let us learn from our Beloved Uncle Lenny; let us love with all of our heart. Because we know, that is exactly how he loved. He loved with his whole being, and that is why this hurts so much more. Let us follow in his footsteps. Let us keep loving and forgiving each other and showing up for one another. It is the only way we will get through this, and continue to honor Uncle Lenny and all of our loved ones that have transitioned in these past five years.

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. Make a conscious effort to invest in yourself this week by spending more intimate time with the Father. Come to Him with all your heart and He will open up the windows of heaven as you have never seen before.

When we enter into a new relationship, most desire to give their all because they desire that intimate connection and the promise of a lasting and loving relationship. As time goes on, and the relationship matures, it is expected that one is giving all of their heart. That, they are all in; invested in the relationship and its success.

Then there are others who do not give all in a relationship. They give a bare minimum of themselves and then wonder why the relationship failed. They hold back and do not take the risk of getting hurt if it doesn’t work out the way they desired. So, instead of becoming vulnerable and giving in to getting to know that person, and having that person know them; the relationship cannot grow and soon dies out like all the others before it.

Anything in our lives worth having requires that we give our all. We must be totally invested to see any growth and reward. No matter what it is in life; we will not see success or manifest the best if we are not 100% invested in what we are doing.

We cannot excel in our careers if we are not willing to invest our time and give our all. With the exception of extreme cases of nepotism—when is the last time you witnessed someone being promoted to a highly esteemed position without being totally dedicated to that company? Proving that they give their all in the job that they are doing? The promotion comes when you have diligently and consistently worked for it.

Some may argue that that is not necessarily true. That, there have been many instances where one has given their all only to be disappointed, crushed, and devastated in the end; left feeling wounded and dejected. And not so willing to give their all the next time around.

This is true for many. But that is life. That is the world we live in. However, we cannot allow these circumstances and situations to cause us to stop being who we are and true to what we know is right. We must stand firm in who we are and not conform to the way of the world when we are hurt and disappointed. We must take the high road, and trust God to bring us through. Trust the promise keeper to keep His promises to us. Because the truth of the matter is, as believers, we are held to a different standard than the world. We have an example in Christ Jesus that we can look to. For He was rejected and betrayed when all He did was give His all. With all of His heart he served, He healed, He witnessed. And when He was betrayed? He still loved and gave His life with all of His heart.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. We may not be Jesus, but He lives in our hearts. The same character that resides in Him resides in us. No matter what we face in this life; always give all of you. Do all things with all of your heart. Because at the end of the day, it is not to impress flesh and blood, but to honor the God we serve who gave His everything to save our souls. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.