Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. —Proverbs 4:23

In coaching, my clients and I talk about all sorts of things. Honestly, it’s amazing how much ground we can cover in 45 minutes of focused interaction. We talk strategy, certainly, but also about clarifying vision, resolving conflict, setting healthy boundaries, practicing new skills to help leaders lead better, etc. The possibilities are endless. But regardless of the topic, one thing about my focus as a coach remains consistently true.

I am unapologetically after my client’s heart.

Why? Because I know the heart is central to … well, everything. 

Leadership, yes, but also love, life, wholeness, passion, the Gospel itself. Without the heart, whole and engaged, all the rest of it is meaningless. All of life becomes a “dead work,” because your heart is not in it.

In Western culture, we tend to equate the heart solely with our emotions. But Scripture defines the heart in a much more expansive and central way.

The Bible describes the heart as the deep center of your being, the essence of who you really are, beneath the masks and facades we learn to project and hide behind. Further, it describes the attributes of the heart as being much more than simply what you’re feeling. For example:

1. The heart is the seat of wisdom, understanding and discernment.

• Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart … —1 Kings 3:12
• Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding. —Proverbs 14:33
• So teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. —Psalms 90:12

2. The heart is the seat of significant memory and thought.

• Your Word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against You. —Psalms 119:11
• Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. —Deuteronomy 4:9

3. The heart is where our courage resides.

• Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord. —Psalms 31:24

4. The heart is where faith lives.

• … if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. —Romans 10:9

The heart is central to life, and the power center of our life with God. No wonder God commands us to guard our hearts “above all else.” Your heart is what Jesus died to save. It is the treasure of the Kingdom ~ which is to say, you are.

So, really now ~ how is your heart?