Thinking people are reflective. Inquiring, observant, and intentional people are usually quite in touch with their core. This core provides the backdrop for our decisions and human interactions.
We all have a world view as well. Our experiences, our beliefs, our education, our values, and our human interactions all contribute to the core of who we are as a person. Our world view works together with our core, determining how we live our lives.
Take a few minutes and list what you feel are your core operating principles. What are the things that make you feel valuable? What is it you value in how you are treated by others?In what ways do you feel you have succeeded and why do you think this is true? Where do you feel you have not succeeded – and what has gotten in the way?
Jesus made a deep statement about God’s core in Matthew 22:34-40. Quality life appeared to be Jesus-defined by two major tenants. Love for God and love for others. This is a great place to begin when we reflect on our own personal core.
It is so cool to be a Christ-follower – on so many levels. Because the “heart” of mankind is corrupt and can’t be trusted, the gift of a new heart is huge to anyone who finds it. While I couldn’t trust my old lost heart – I can listen to my new heart in a way that produces freedom and fills me with hope. Neat. Check out Ezekiel 36:26 re: new heart.
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:25,26
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
It is good to pay attention to our core. It is like the wind in the sails of our world view!
Dave & Burnadette