“My heart is beeping!”
After an enthusiastic session of tapping a balloon back and forth, my four year old granddaughter collapsed on the sofa, put her hand on chest and declared, “My heart is beeping!”
Gently pushing a balloon with our fingertips to pass it back and forth is a great activity for hand eye coordination and tracking a moving object. The task is especially good for young children who’ve not yet mastered throwing and catching with a ball. It’s not normally an aerobic activity* (physically active enough to cause the heart rate to increase to a level that benefits our fitness). However, as my girl raced back and forth across the sofa to keep the balloon from touching the floor, she received quite a workout (good exercise for this grandmother, too!)
Of course, by saying, “My heart is beeping!” she meant her heart beat faster from activity. But I really like the analogy of our hearts “beeping.”
I’m sure we’ve all heard heavy equipment sounding an alarm for moving (usually backward) to alert people to be aware (and move to safety if needed). The noise signals us to pay attention. And a “beeping” heart can remind us to be awake, alert, and aware of anything which might be a danger for our heart, either physically or spiritually.
My heart is beeping!
Why should we be on alert to protect our heart? We find answers in God’s Word.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)
Who guides us in the task of protecting our heart?
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Our Father gifts us with knowledge and discernment so that we may live a life of joy on our journey with Him.
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. (Proverbs 15:13-15)
Jesus reminds us of the most important purpose of our heart–to love God.
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ (Matthew 22:37)
So…how do we show our love for God?
- We submit to our Father and strive to follow His guidance in all we do.
- We study His Word as we grow in knowledge, wisdom, and discernment from the message the Bible provides.
- We love and fellowship with other believers to support them on their journey.
- We seek opportunities to spread the Good News of Jesus to those who do not yet know Him.
- We worship and praise God, which is a sharing of our heart.
Worship is “more a thing of the heart and mind than a physical action or position. Worship is a relationship with our holy God, characterized by a bowed-down heart in total surrender.” (bibletools.org)
Is your heart “beeping” for God?
*Aerobic exercise provides cardiovascular conditioning. The term aerobic actually means “with oxygen,” which means that breathing controls the amount of oxygen that can make it to the muscles to help them burn fuel and move. Aerobic exercise strengthens our heart muscle. The Cleveland Clinic
Let us listen for those “heart beeps” my friend. And more importantly, let us react to them.
Yes, sir! I’m praying for our Father’s guidance to be a better listener–and to follow through on His plan for me. Wishing you and the Cross-Dubya family a blessed week, my friend.
Loved the story and the principles that followed. Too many beeps and a racing heart is a signal for me to slow down and pray to replace my stress and anxiety with God’s available slow and steady peace.
I have that same issue, Marilyn. I tend to be too busy and my “heart beeps” are often a warning to slow down, seek His guidance, enjoy each moment of the time we’re gifted on this earth before we are called to our eternal home. Wishing you joy and blessings this week, with a generous serving of peace.
I love this story and application, Katherine. Blessings.
Thank you, Diana. I’m grateful for your encouragement. Sending a wish for blessings to you, too.
I love this story and the explanation of aerobics. Thanks for all of your encouragement in these posts. They all have been very uplifting and helpful to me. May God continue to bless you in your ministry!
Martha, I’m so glad these posts have been helpful. I’m grateful for your feedback and encouragement. Thank you! Wishing you joy and blessings this week.
Great explanations, Katherine! True story–I broke my toe bopping a balloon when I was a kid. It’s never been the same. I guess I had a few heart beeps that day. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, no! I know why you remember that–a broken toe is usually very painful and there’s not much in the way of effective treatment. Thank you for sharing your story and for your kind encouragement. Wishing you a great week!
Wonderful story and connection to Scripture. Balloons are fun and entertaining. And like you said, good activity.
Hope to see you at BRMCWC this year!
We enjoyed those balloons for several days until they all popped. I plan to be there–will be great to see you! Blessings!
I have always loved this verse about guarding our hearts. Thank you for a cute story and insights into how to guard our hearts!
There’s so much wisdom and truth in God’s Word. We are blessed to have scripture that serves to guide us on the right path. Thank you for being an encourager, Kathy. Are there any signs of Spring in those mountains yet?
What a cute comment! I appreciated the application for a beeping heart too. Three of those verses are ones I often pray when I pray for my grandchildren. What a great reminder that God desires our hearts to “beep” for HIm.
Sylvia, I expect you’ve got lots of fun memories of special things your grandchildren said or did. God certainly blesses us with the joy of grandchildren. Like you, I hope we can keep our hearts “beeping” for our Lord. Peace and blessings, my friend.
That still small voice knocks inside our hearts at times. May we always hear with clarity. Thanks, Katherine, and God bless!
Aren’t we blessed by the “still, small voice”–that our Father loves us so such that that He gave us a conscience and that “little” voice from Him. He’s the perfect Father and guide for us. Like you, I pray we listen and hear with clarity so that we are always in His will. Thank you, Nancy. Blessings!
Such a beautiful message Katherine. I want me heart to beep for the Lord always.
Me, too, Yvonne. Since I featured my granddaughter in this message, being with her reminds me that “I want my heart to beep for the Lord” always.
Yes, I need to heed my beeping heart. Thanks, Katherine. Lovely analogy.
Thank you, Debbie. I like the way you phrase your goal, “I need to heed my beeping heart.” Thank you for sharing and for your encouragement.
I want my heart to “beep” for Christ as I am stirred to pay attention to not let in evil, but also to exercise my heart muscles in worship to God. Thanks for sharing.
“Exercise my heart muscles in worship to God.” I love the way you said that, Joanna. I’m so glad you shared your thoughts. Blessings!
Love your thoughts here, Katherine! Your granddaughter sounds like a lot of fun!
Thank you, LuAnn. My granddaughter is fun and I am so blessed. Your kind words bless me today.