1. The Compass
By Jane Weiers
The heart. Sustainer of life. Representer of emotions. Symbol of
the very core and essence of a person’s being. Words and
phrases such as heartfelt, heartache, broken-hearted, matters of
the heart, with all my heart, follow your heart – all speak to the
depth and power of this part of our physical, emotional and
spiritual being. In its role as core of our being, the heart can also
serve another purpose, that of navigator.
Have you ever asked yourself what direction you were going?
Not in the physical sense, but rather in the emotional and
spiritual sense? Have you ever asked God for guidance, and felt the answer come from your
heart? That is the heart functioning in its capacity as navigator, a moral and spiritual compass
given to us by God to guide us through the journey of life. Ignore it and you easily find yourself off-
course; utilize it and experience the joy and fulfillment of being on the right path, headed in the right
direction.
The Stewardship Team recently sent our congregation on a treasure hunt, a journey designed to
ultimately reveal that the treasure is our own heart. When we planned the journey in July, little did
we know how timely this theme would be. September 11 has people all around the world taking
stock of their lives, reevaluating their course, and remembering what truly matters in life. It has
people giving of themselves, giving of their time, giving of their money, in levels never seen before.
This unprecedented spirit of giving is testament to the power of the heart, and its capacity to guide
us and give us direction. It is that spirit of giving that is at the very heart of stewardship.
We have been created by God to be giving people, and given hearts to guide our way. As you
journey through life, remember that you have been given a treasure from God, and that treasure is
your heart. Sustainer of life. Representer of emotions. Symbol of the very core and essence of a
person’s being. Compass. Let your heart guide your way and you will always be headed in the
right direction.
For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also. Luke 12:34