Drawing out the purpose of your heart (Proverbs 20:5, Matthew 4:19)

The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water,

but a man of understanding will draw it out.—Proverbs 20:5

Vince Miller's post This is Deep gave the insight that we should search within ourselves and others the deeper and invisible purposes of the heart.  We do this because we love God and others (Matthew 22:27-28). I had an insight around this verse - rephrasing it for application; "a man of understanding will draw out the purpose in a man's heart."

Jesus called his disciples to "follow him" and taught them to be "fishers of men" Matthew 4:19. The core of being a fisher of men is to be a man of understanding (Luke 8:9-15). How does this actually happen? Jesus prayed for us to be set apart, to be sent into the world, to sanctify ourselves in God's word.

 Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world. For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth. (John 17:17-19)

We have been healed, saved, and restored to bring reconciliation to the world. The cost of discipleship is now for me to be mature enough for self-denial. Set myself apart for ministry.  

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. - Matthew 16:24