An elderly Christian lady, dreadfully crippled with rheumatism, used to hobble to the services of the church on two sticks. It was a great ordeal and required of her considerable toil and pain. A friend of hers observed her regularly and asked: “How do you manage to be at every service?” Her answer was classic: “My heart gets there first and my old legs just follow after.”

There is the key to faithfulness, not only in attendance at the worship assemblies, but in living a life worthy of the name “Christian.”

Jesus had taught men to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). All acceptable service to God and His Son begins in the heart — a heart filled with love. A heart filled with the love of God and His Son will show itself in external actions. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 15:14).

If Jesus truly is Lord in our hearts, our lives will be lived so that others will see Christ living in us and the hope we have in our heart (1 Peter 3:15-16).

We have heard the expression, “their heart is not in it.” I’m afraid that the Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, must be saying that about many people who profess to follow Christ. Is your heart in the service to Christ? If so, you’ll be like the lady above. Your heart gets there first and your legs will naturally follow. -Lindel Doty, Sunset church of Christ, Shreveport, LA