Don't allow treasures of the heart to remain hidden

Are you truly doing what your heart is leading you to do? You may just be going through the motions. Right? Perhaps what you think you'd like to achieve is hidden so deeply within you that it seems forgotten.

Yet, there's that gnawing feeling inside that you're missing out on becoming what you would like. Maybe it's something you've been programed to believe you can't attain, so you pushed it aside and chose another field. Perhaps you picked a career or a lifestyle that was considered more prestigious or that brought more income.

Janie loved to make flower arrangements and to garden. She was very skilled at it, too, but Janie brushed aside the desire and went into a field that was easier for her to achieve. Janie became a printer, and was very successful within the occupation, to the point of owning a print shop.

Yet, she still ached to own a florist business. She dreamed of being a florist. However, Janie had received no encouragement toward her expertise with flowers and gardening. Her parents, rather than praise her ability, told her that the profession would not bring in a livable income and neglected to tell her how good she was at raising plants and framing them in beautiful, picturesque containers and baskets.

They ignored and brushed off her talents. Consequently Janie shoved her desire so far down that she forgot about it for a while, and went on about her life doing other things.

Then, finally, she no longer could stand the dissatisfaction. While keeping her printing business, she took the risk and began attending classes to become a certified florist.

Even though the road to achieving her desire was difficult, she began to walk with a bouncy spring in her step. She felt alive -- finally. She wondered why it took so long for her to use her God-given gift. Eventually she finished her training and began living her dream, amid her plants and flowers.

What finally allowed Janie to decide to strive for what she had buried within herself for so long? Janie listened to other people's discouraging remarks without realizing their motives were meant to deter her. She felt the profession toward which she was being pulled was beyond her reach (lack of confidence) and she was afraid to even hope it was possible (fear). After Janie finally took the risk, she wondered if she would be able to finish. Lack of funds was a problem, and so was finding the energy to work at her present job while attempting to learn a new one.

God wants people to listen to the desires of their hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life." Listen to the tone of "wellspring of life." Doesn't it sound truly life giving, energetic and nourishing to your thirst of whatever you're yearning for?

Don't try to always stay safe. Look for what is probing you from inside and go for it. Face whatever demons you may have to cast off, such as depression or lack of ambition and fear, and do something about them.

Remember the parable of the talents (Matthew 25: 14-30). When the master returned, he rewarded the two servants who had invested their money and increased it. But as for the third servant who had buried the money to keep it safe, the master scolded him and took away what he had buried.

Even though what you're attempting may not materialize, you must try. Don't strive for safety and comfort but invest what you've been given, even if it's a hobby.

In his book "Nine Things You Simply Must Do," Dr. Henry Cloud says, "Grasp your dreams. One of the worst things you can die with is potential. Die with failures before you die with potential."

So dig it up and invest it. And you will find out that it's true -- life comes from the INSIDE OUT!"

Ellen Shuck holds degrees in psychology, religious education and spiritual direction and provides spiritual direction to people at her office.