The post below is the fourth in a series of five posts on the topic, ‘How to Keep Your Heart Healthy.’ Written by Jeff Slaughter, Founder/Director of European Worship Institute.

The Worship Leader’s Heart: How To Keep It Healthy
Proverbs 4:23 says, ”Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it comes the issues of life.”
Everything starts with the heart: our words, our attitudes, and our actions. If our heart is hurt, unrepentant or sinful, then it will negatively affect what we say, what we think and what we do. So how do we keep our hearts healthy so that our words, attitudes and actions are life-giving, affirming and productive?

Healthy Heart Tip #4: Have regular heart check-ups
Practical: If you have a car, you know it’s important to take it to the mechanic every so often to have it checked – to make sure there are no small problems that won’t become big problems. Otherwise, you’ll end up on the highway with your hood raised and your engine smoking.

Spiritual…In the same way, we need to submit ourselves for periodic checkups so we don’t get stranded on the highway of life.

Check Up #1: Ask God
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Check Up #2: Self-Check
Do a mental self-check of how you’re doing in various areas of your life:
1. Devotional area
2. Prayer life
3. Thought life
4. Practical areas such as finances, family time, attitudes, kindness, etc.

Check Up #3: External Check
Ask your worship leader/pastor/friend how you’re doing in certain areas. Remain humble and open to honest constructive critique. If you can’t take it, don’t ask for it.

‘Contemplatio’ is our weekly worship devotional column. Inspired by the Latin word ‘Contemplatio’, which means means to ‘look at, gaze at or be aware of’; each week, we post a ‘Contemplatio’ designed to teach, inform or draw attention to a topic. Most posts are written by Jeff Slaughter, founder and director of the European Worship Institute, and members of the EWI teaching team. Ideas for guest posts are welcome and may be submitted to Jeff at: [email protected]