Open Up

“You have to open up to be free.”

Loren Thornburg

Twice a year I go for my routine teeth cleaning. Not because anything is wrong but to prevent anything from becoming wrong. It’s rather awkward with my mouth wide-open and a dental hygienist up-close and personal in my face. The whole thing is not what you would call fun, but if feels so nice and clean afterwards. Sometimes, even though you have had no pain or symptoms they find something that needs to be addressed before it gets worse. Sitting in the chair I wondered if I do this with my heart. I do it with my teeth that although are very important, matters of the heart have an even greater impact on my life. The heart affects everything, in every way, in every day. Yet, how often do we take our hearts for a routine check-up or even allow them to be opened up and looked at when we do have signs and symptoms. It’s not as clear as a toothache to know we are overdue for a visit. It’s not as quick as a 30 minute routine cleaning, but it’s affects stretch farther and wider than any dentist visit. Bitterness, anger, frustration, discouragement, depression...you’re overdue for some time alone, being still and letting the issues of your heart surface. If left unattended they will only continue to grow and cause havoc just like an unaddressed cavity would. You have to get close to get clean. It’s never what I would call fun but always worth it and always freeing.

“Search me thoroughly, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24 Amplified

David was willing to open up. He invited the Lord to come in and do a full examination and cleaning of his heart. Not because he didn’t know how hard it would be, but because he knew how much he needed it. He knew how much he needed the Lord in order to walk in the freedom and the life that God had called him to. Now God already knows. It’s not a surprise to Him when we invite Him into the places in our hearts, when we open up our lives. Yet, when we allow Him to enter in He allows us to see what is already there and then invites us to follow Him out of the junk to the way everlasting. It probably won’t be as quick as a visit to the dentist but the rewards will be greater, fuller and higher. Stop and invite Him in before the pain forces you to. It’s never too late even if the pain has settled in and is coming out. Let Him come in and He will do a thorough work to lead you to life, life and more life.