Closest to Your Heart

I am 67 years old, and I can't begin to count how many anecdotes and sermon illustrations I've heard in my lifetime. But one that I heard a long time ago--I don't even remember where or when--has always stayed with me. A memory gift from the Spirit. It went something like this:

"A single women had been faithfully serving the Lord in some remote area of the world for decades. But people noticed that she always wore a necklace--with a heart locket on the end. The curious--there are always some of those--assumed that it was a lost love from her early days that she could never forget--a life long sorrow. Finally, her Lord fulfilled her joy and took her home to be with Him. When they opened the locket, to their surprise, it didn't contain a picture of anyone, just a reference: I Peter 1:8: 'Whom having not seen, you love, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.' "

I've needed to be reminded of that story many times in my life. The Spirit's question is always the same: Who is in your "locket," closest to your heart?

I do not know what God will or has called you to--singleness, a long happy marriage, or anything in-between, but unless He is in the "locket" of your heart, your life will lack the richness that only He can bring. And if He is the "love of your life," you will never be poor for as long as you live.

Who is in your "locket," closest to your heart?