Maybe We Need A Checkup

My thoughts flow pretty freely whether I have a pen in my hand or I’m pounding on the keyboard. Some days, the way I process looks a little different. If I have the words readily formed, my Mrs. Winkler typing skills are at their finest. If I have vague ideas without formed words, one of two things might happen. Either I open to my next spiral-bound page with pen in hand and slowly draw out each syllable or I open my laptop and type and delete and type and delete and type and delete. Words have power and I never want to use them carelessly. This writing might take a bit. Settle in.

I write because it’s how I process. It’s how I arrange my thoughts. Ideas that get tangled up in my mind are often unraveled one thread at a time. It’s like looking at a connect-the-dots picture and not having a clue how this could possibly make any sense, and then BAM! It becomes so very obvious; a clear picture.

I’ve written about issues of the heart in multiple blog posts before. Until I take my last breath, my heart will continue to be a problem; the very seed out of which countless evil deeds are born. But the heart is a funny thing. It’s hidden mostly. The average person that I encounter on any given day would deduce that I’m a relatively “good” person. By worldly standards, that’s probably true. And yet what those people don’t see or know is how sick my heart is.

Our world has been crumbling before our eyes for a long time. This isn’t new to our generation. But it certainly takes on different appearances at various times and places and in each unique circumstance. There is a wide variety of ideas about the reason(s) behind the horror stories that we hear and read about (or even, God forbid, experience ourselves). And in some small way, all of those reasons likely play a part.

There are those who want to stake their claim and fall on the sword of religious belief or convictions. Plenty out in the arena are willing to throw down for personal beliefs about the definition of family, sex, gender, illegal immigrants, or some other hot-button word of the day. We adamantly stand our ground on issues that personally concern and impact us. Much of the time, we’re sufficiently educated and able to deliver a convincing monologue to anyone listening. However, we’re also very guilty of simply repeating phrases we’ve heard or read somewhere else without any real time invested to support our blabbering. I think you see where I’m going with this list. We all think we have all the answers to all the things. You won’t convince me otherwise. The chaos around us is the result. Most of us are avoiding what really needs to be addressed.

I don’t need to be looking for a solution to homelessness. You don’t need to be trying to brainstorm ways to fix the healthcare system. Our neighbor isn’t responsible for improving the broken government. Every single one of those things and every other concern you could possibly write down is boiled down to the condition of the heart of each one of us.

Any time you log in on your computer, phone, or TV and read headlines, you’re bound to be assaulted by the chaos. Local woman shot in her driveway by estranged husband; children witness and call 9-1-1. Semi driver without valid driver’s license causes accident that takes the life of father and young children. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid local business, one person shot; investigation details unavailable at this time. It’s exhausting.

Most of the time, we don’t stop long enough to consider that tensions often mean that two things can be true at the same time. It isn’t always as simple as you versus me. Right versus wrong. Black versus white. Republican versus Democrat. United States versus China. Christian versus atheist (or better yet, Christian versus Catholic, for example).

The Bible gives us the elementary foundation to build on. It basically creates a roadmap to follow. I’ll be the first one to use it when trying to defend a position. If God said something, He’s the boss. Period. But nowhere in the Bible can I find permission to be hurtful, manipulative, full of pride, or any other action we attempt to justify. It isn’t there.

I hear those who claim to be Christians and want to make sure that our government takes care of “our people” before taking care of anyone from another country. And the next statement is made by another claiming to be a Christian who  wants to ensure that we take care of those in need regardless of status (remember the verses about neighbors, mothers, and brothers). Those statements can both be appropriate and even true. But more importantly, they point to the bigger picture. How we relate to others is secondary to how we relate to God. Those are literally the first two commandments. In a nutshell, love God first and then you can love others well. That’s the point.

We’re missing what God wants us to hear because we’re getting distracted by all the chaos. That’s legitimately how the enemy works. Take our focus away from God. We want to give the impression that our focus is in the right place (especially when we quote scripture or try to point out what Jesus did or would do). And the whole time we’re having terrible thoughts about that coworker who always comes in late or the woman that comes in church looking like she’s still hungover. It don’t need to keep giving examples. You know exactly what I’m talking about. We’re all guilty. Our hearts are sick.

Don’t just go through the motions of opening that feel-good devotional you got for Christmas. Don’t post or repost or share on social media trying to convince everybody else that you’re right and they’re wrong for the 47th time. Do you know how to impact the headlines? Do you know what Jesus would tell us to do? Do you know how we change this world? We fall on our face DAILY before God and ask Him to reveal what’s wrong with OUR hearts. We ask Him to expose the wrong ideas we have. We beg Him to take away the evil intentions we harbor. We get right with him daily and I doubt we have time left to worry about all the other stuff that we get so wrapped up in. I assure you, I’m a full-time job. If my heart is first devoted humbly to God, a natural progression will happen. I won’t have to try to change my family or my community or my state or my country or my world. God will change it through me, by using me in His power.

Friends, I never intend to hurl challenges at others that I’m not also willing to commit to myself. This writing is the beginning and a direct result of the first 28 days of this year. I promised God that I would sit with Him every morning, no exceptions. I wouldn’t rush. I would sit in awkward silence. I wouldn’t seek quick answers by looking in my study notes, opening a commentary, or searching the internet. I would read Scripture and Scripture only. I would listen and lean in. I’ve written out very intentional prayers begging Him.

None of the distractions matter. Our hearts need a desperate checkup. Make that appointment today and keep it every time.

Matthew 15:8, 18 ~ This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me……..But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.