“The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From his throne he observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.” Psalm 33.13-15 (NLT)
I saw a car the other day that looked normal but as it turned the corner, I was caught by surprise – the whole passenger side was completely smashed in!
Have you ever considered that people are something like that car? We have a good side that we parade around for all to see and a dark side that we hide from view.
In the book of Matthew, a young man comes to Jesus wanting to know how he can have eternal life and Jesus tells him he must obey the commandments. The young man proclaims that he has obeyed all of them. He’s parading his good side for Jesus to see.
He then asked what else he needed to do.
Jesus told him, “. . . go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew. 19:20-22)
With laser-like precision Jesus goes after the dark side of his heart.
Showing off our good sides and concealing our dark sides is second nature, but we can’t hide our dark sides from God.
Jesus is in the business of changing EVERY PART of us – the good and the bad. This process of change can be terrifying, excruciating, seemingly unbearable at times but it’s in this struggle and pain that our true beauty can be brought forth.
Will you let God in to work on your dark side?
Lord, thank you for loving me even though you know everything about me. Thank you for never giving up on me. Show me how to surrender ALL of my heart to You. Amen.
Spend some time in prayer asking God to show you your own “dark side.” Then meditate on the saving grace Jesus offers you and lift those sinful tendencies up to Him. It might help you to journal about it so that you can watch the progress as He works on your heart.
by Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission
Further Reading
• God Sees, He Knows – Deborah Yemi-Oladayo
• God Sees You – by Kathy Cheek
• The One Who Sees It All – by John Grant