034 : Heart Work is Hard Work - Relentless Pursuit of Christ w/ Maggie Waldrop
Heart Work is Hard Work: The Relentless Pursuit of Jesus
In this episode of The Refined Sisterhood podcast, Kait and I dive into a topic that is close to our hearts: the pursuit of Jesus. While many aspects of our faith journey are beautiful and joyful, heart work—the internal, deep transformation we experience as we grow closer to Christ—is often hard work. It requires time, vulnerability, and, most of all, a relentless pursuit of Jesus.
Why Heart Work Matters
Heart work isn’t just about doing things for God—it’s about allowing Him to do a transformative work in our hearts. It’s easy to focus on outward actions—serving, leading, or doing good deeds—but God is more concerned with the state of our hearts than our outward appearances. As Scripture reminds us, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7).
True heart work is the process of surrendering our hearts to God and allowing Him to shape us from the inside out. It’s about embracing the discomfort that often comes with transformation and trusting that God is working all things together for our good.
The Relentless Pursuit of Jesus
Pursuing Jesus with all our hearts is a lifelong journey. It’s not about checking boxes or completing a to-do list—it’s about relentlessly seeking Him, day after day. When we truly desire to know Jesus more intimately, we’re willing to do whatever it takes to deepen our relationship with Him.
In this episode, we share the importance of being intentional in our pursuit of Jesus. It requires setting aside time for prayer, worship, and reading His Word. But more than that, it requires a heart that is willing to let go of everything that stands in the way of a deeper relationship with Him. Sometimes that means laying down our own desires, comforts, and distractions to make space for what really matters—Jesus.
The Hard Work of Transformation
Heart work is hard work because transformation is never easy. God is constantly refining us, removing the things that are not of Him, and molding us into the women He created us to be. This process isn’t always comfortable, and there are seasons when it feels like we’re being stretched and tested in ways we didn’t expect. But we can trust that God’s heart for us is good, and He is making us more like Christ with every step we take.
In this episode, we talk about some of the challenges that come with heart work and how to embrace the hard work of transformation. We discuss how God uses trials and difficult seasons to refine our faith and teach us to depend on Him more fully. Even when we feel like we’re stumbling, God is at work in us, making us more like His Son.
Practical Ways to Pursue Jesus Relentlessly
Pursuing Jesus isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. Here are a few practical ways to keep your focus on Jesus and stay committed to the heart work He is doing in you:
Make Time for Daily Quiet Time: Set aside time each day to be with Jesus. This could be in the form of prayer, worship, or simply sitting in silence to hear from Him.
Stay in Community: Surround yourself with other women who are also pursuing Jesus. Fellowship and accountability can help you stay on track and encourage you in the process of heart work.
Don’t Be Afraid to Let Go: God may ask you to lay down certain things in your life—relationships, habits, or mindsets—that are hindering your growth. Trust Him and let go of what no longer serves His purpose for you.
Embrace the Process: Heart work takes time. Don’t rush it. Allow God to do His work in His timing. Remember, He’s more concerned with your heart than your performance.
Closing Thoughts
Heart work is hard, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things we can do in our walk with Jesus. The relentless pursuit of Jesus is not always easy, but it’s worth it. As we allow God to work in us and refine us, we grow closer to Him and become the women He created us to be.
If you’re in a season of heart work, know that God sees you. He knows the challenges you’re facing, and He is faithful to complete the work He has started in you. Keep pressing in, keep pursuing Jesus, and trust that He will use every moment to draw you closer to His heart.
With love,
Maddie & Kait