“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

“Heart” is often used metaphorically to refer to the essence of a person’s being, their central focus or what they have passion for, the center of one’s life. As we begin another new year we will all do well to ask ourselves, “Where’s my heart?”

Even if you’ve “given your heart to the Lord” so to speak, meaning you profess faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, it’s easy to get distracted from following him fully.

It all depends on what you treasure, for that will be your heart’s focus. As this new year begins, even as a Christian, you may be treasuring something more than knowing and following Christ.

For example, your treasure might be your personal life and well-being, and your heart might be given to worry as you spend your time anxiously wondering about your health, your family, or your career.

Your treasure might be your accomplishments and your heart may be consumed by the pursuit of career goals, physical training, or financial gain.

You may treasure possessions and your heart might be given to pleasure and the pursuit of all you can experience in the fast lane of life.

Do you treasure anything over following Christ? Even good things, when treasured over knowing Jesus, can distract us from fully following him. Jesus wants us to treasure knowing him and his ways above all else, because that’s where he wants our hearts to be. His advice in Matthew 6:33 is to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” If that is where your heart is, he promises to take care of everything else.

This year, all year, give your heart fully to the Lord.

“But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24).