I am blogging for Lent. Pouring in not taking out by sending excerpts from my new book,

THE TOV HEART: God's Design for a Life Rooted in What Matters Most

If you are intrigued, you can order it from Amazon here THE TOV HEART

Whether you get your own copy of the book or not, it is my hope and prayer that you will be blessed and challenged to look for more with God - Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit. No matter how much you think you have, there is always MORE! Godspeed!

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…” – Matthew 6:9-10

For the most part, we are coasters. We live each day not on purpose, but by accident. Not as kings and queens of a kingdom. But as slaves to the temptations of the world, the deception of the Evil One, and our own ease and comfort.

I will admit that most decisions we make each day are relatively benign. But when was the last time you spent hours upon hours playing video games? Scrolling through Instagram reels? Staying late at the office to avoid conflict or boredom at home? Masturbating to pornography? Getting lost in the bar down the street or a six-pack in your refrigerator? Or sports … what about sports? And just because I haven’t mentioned your particular addiction doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.

You know what your addiction of choice is. Whatever you go to for comfort, peace, or support, other than God, when you are hurt, weary, or bored. Some of our addictions are “big” ones. But there are a multitude of “little” choices we make, apart from God, that kill our heart. The wellspring of life. Unfortunately, there is often a hangover. Shame, guilt, or frustration are usually the residue of going to our comforters. And comfort is not what our hearts really need; rest.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Over the course of my life, I have exercised my will millions, perhaps billions of times. I have chosen both well and poorly. I have chosen Jesus, and I have not. Too many times, I have gone to other “comforters” by default rather than to Jesus on purpose.

It is impossible to coast to Jesus. To “come to him,” you must act on purpose. You must consciously exercise your will. You must decide and choose to do it. It is as simple and as hard as that.

The only real question is, “Will you?”

Excerpt From THE TOV HEART: God's Design for a Life Rooted in What Matters Most

Copyright © 2025 Ray Schmidt