"Keep thy heart with all diligence;
for out of it are the issues of life."
- Proverbs 4:23

Been there, done that...

...but I guess I'll do it again.

In just a few days I am going to be wearing a Holter monitor.  I've done this several times before, so it's nothing new to me.  

A Holter monitor is a miniaturized electrocardiographic machine that's portable and can record an electrocardiogram (ECG) for an extended period of time, usually 24 hours.  The Holter monitor records the activities of the heart and can detect rhythm abnormalities during the record period.  Diagnosis of the abnormalities is often based on the results of the test.

During the recording period, patients (like me;-) are asked to keep a diary of activities and symptoms to see if an abnormal heart rhythm correlates with their symptoms.  Conversely, a normal heart rhythm at the time of symptoms can be helpful in excluding arrhythmias as the cause of the problem.

You know, a 24 hour monitor of the heart's activities isn't a bad idea for all of us...

...our spiritual hearts, that is.

You see, problems within the physical heart are bad, but problems within the spiritual heart are even worse.  And so, maybe it's a good time to "keep a diary of activities" and "check for abnormalities."

If we had a print-out of our spiritual heart's activities for the past 24 hours what would it reveal?  Would it show a healthy relationship with Christ Jesus?  Would there be signs of life from within?  Are our hearts really beating for the Lord?  

Or, would there be some problem areas?  Some area of concern?  
Maybe even some critical issues that need immediate attention?

We can learn a lot about our spiritual well-being by looking at the activities of the past 24 hours.  If our spiritual hearts' health hung on witnessing, soul-winning, honesty, integrity, prayer, Bible study, good works and a genuine love for Jesus...would we have survived the last day?  

Are there any "abnormalities" present?  You know, "little white lies", gossip, ungodly movies, secular music, neglect in our prayer and Bible study, ill will, bitterness and dishonesty, to name just a few.  

What would a "spiritual Holter monitor" detect in our lives?

And so, as you consider the last 24 hours of your life and prepare for the next 24 hours that are forthcoming, I'll ask you an all important, critical question...

...Have you checked your heart lately?