A Blast of God’s Presence: A Youth Service That Spoke to My Heart

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23  It was a bright, beautiful day—perfect for a youth service, but I had no idea how much God would speak to me that day. From the moment I walked in, I could already feel that the atmosphere was different. It wasn’t just another Sunday or gathering; it was personal. Something was about to shift in me.  As we began with praise and worship, the energy in the room was so alive. Everyone was clapping, smiling, dancing—there was so much joy in the air. But beyond the fun, I could sense something deeper. It was as if God was gently tugging at my heart. In the middle of the noise, He was whispering, “I’m here. Listen to Me.  Then came the message. And wow—it went straight to my soul. The topic was about guarding your heart, because it is deceitful and full of hidden things we often don’t recognize. The speaker said something that struck me hard: “Not everything you feel is true. That’s why your heart must be led, not followed.” I just sat there, stunned. It was like God was directly addressing what I’ve been silently wrestling with.  Guarding my heart is not about closing off—it’s about opening up to the right One.” This made me realize how often I’ve let wrong thoughts, emotions, or even people enter my heart without checking if it aligns with God’s truth. The message wasn’t condemning—it was freeing. It showed me that when God leads, peace follows.  After the service, I had a meaningful conversation with a friend. We talked about how hard it is sometimes to control what we feel, especially when our hearts get easily carried away. We laughed, reflected, and even cried a little. It felt so good to know we’re not alone in this battle, and that we both want to guard our hearts better for God.  And then, a surprise! I saw someone I hadn’t seen in years—a friend who lives far away but decided to attend the service. We hugged and caught up like no time had passed. It was such a divine moment. I knew God arranged it. It reminded me that He brings the right people at the right time to encourage us.  The whole day was just full of joy, connection, and God’s gentle reminders. We took pictures, shared food, laughed so much, and created memories that I’ll never forget. But what made it truly special wasn’t just the fellowship—it was the Word that changed my heart.  That youth service was more than an event—it was an encounter. I went home with a lighter heart, a clearer mind, and a deeper desire to guard my heart for the One who truly knows it. God really moved in the midst of us. And even now, I still hear His voice echoing, “I want your heart—fully, wholly, freely.  As I walked home after that youth service, I couldn’t stop thinking about how powerful the Word of God truly is. You see, I’ve been through a lot lately—battles in my mind, emotions I couldn’t even explain, moments when I questioned if I was still walking in the right direction. But that day, God reminded me: everything starts in the heart. We always try to fix what’s on the outside first. Our behavior. Our choices. Our relationships. But sometimes, the real issue is hidden deep inside—what we’ve been allowing into our hearts without knowing it. Thoughts that aren’t true. Feelings that lie. Wounds that we cover with smiles.  The Bible says the heart is deceitful. That was heavy. But it’s true. We often make decisions based on what feels good or sounds right—but not everything that feels right is from God. That’s why He tells us to guard our heart. Not to harden it, not to hide it, but to protect it by placing it in His hands. That message was like God telling me: “Daughter, I see you trying so hard. But let Me be the one to guide you. Stop doing it alone.”  And you know what made it even more real? It wasn’t just the preaching—it was the moments after. The conversations I had with my friend, the friend I unexpectedly saw again, and the laughter we all shared reminded me that God speaks not only from the pulpit but also through relationships. Through presence. Through real love and real talk. It felt like God was saying: “You’re not alone in this. You don’t have to carry it all. You don’t have to guard your heart with fear, but with Me.”  It’s not the emotional hype of a service that changes us. It’s the Word, planted in our hearts, watered with truth, and nurtured through obedience. Little by little, day by day, God teaches us how to love purely, think clearly, and live wisely. But it all starts with guarding our hearts.