Dark Places

 "Search me, O God, and know my heart." Psalm 139:23......"I want to follow Jesus by moving into the dark places in my heart." Larry Crabb

When we think of "following Jesus," it's usually with an emphasis on the outward aspect of doing so. We will follow Him to the places He leads us in ministry, in relationships, in job choices, stewardship, and life choices. We're committed to following Him to those places. Places that are outside of ourselves. Places we are going to but have not yet arrived.

This is certainly a part of what it means to follow, but I think that true following begins with following Him inwardly. Following Him to the inner part of our being, to our hearts, and to all that may be found there. Even the dark places that we don't want to see, or even admit are there. Going there can be a painful and terrifying journey. In fact, it's guaranteed that it will be. 

Scripture says that King David was a man after God's own heart, yet that same heart was also home to a great deal of corruption. David lusted for a woman who was the wife of another man, raped her, impregnated her. When he was unable to convince her husband to sleep with her and so cover his sin, he had him killed, taking his widow for himself. David loved his God, but with a divided heart. He also loved much that was not found in God at all. His inner corruption led to an encounter with God. He saw His broken state and in surrender, invited God to search and cleanse his heart.

So many of those who say they follow Him, who profess to love Him, are doing so with divided hearts. In truth, every one of us, when we come to Him in faith, come with hearts that have had many loves and many idols. They remain because we cannot cleanse them ourselves. If we could, we would not have needed Jesus Christ. If we have set our hearts to follow Him, then the first steps will have to be over what's in our hearts. What idols and other loves reside there that set themselves up against our love for Him? What attitudes, behaviors, habits and addictions do we cherish but that draw our hearts away from Him? What darkness exists, what sin resides there that constantly fights against His Lordship? None of us can really know this. Scripture says that is so. God does, and through His Holy Spirit, He will search out those places of darkness and idolatry, and then it will be our part to surrender them to Him for His cleansing. This is called sanctification, which is our being set apart for Him alone. Until this happens, we may seek to follow Him, but we will repeatedly stumble over the very things within our hearts that keep us from fully being His.

If you wish to follow Him, will you follow Him into your heart? Will you, will we, invite Him to search out our hearts, to expose every place of darkness, every idol raised up against Him? Until we do, we'll never really be a follower of Christ. We may admire Him, even care for Him, but we're not truly following Him. May our prayer be today, and every day, "Search my heart Lord, expose any darkness and idol, and lead me in Your way. Today, and every day."

Blessings,
Pastor O