Deep Spots

At my last visit to get my teeth cleaned, my hygienist commented that I have some deep spots in my molars. She told me she was being extra careful to get in there to get all the gunk out so I didn’t have trouble later. Because I’ve spent more time in the oral surgeon’s chair than I like, I was glad she was taking the time to do it right ,even though it wasn’t comfortable at that moment. Then, when her brother the dentist came in to do his check, he found a cavity in one of those places. I was not a happy camper.

As I grumbled to myself on the way home, I had one of those moments when God seems to tap my head and ask if I’m listening. You’ve had that happen, haven’t you? That’s when I realized that hearts are a lot like teeth. They can have deep spots in them that hide gunk and cause trouble for us if all that bad stuff isn’t scraped out.

Just like sitting in the dentist chair to get my teeth cleaned isn’t one of the things I look forward to, digging into those deep pockets in my heart isn’t something I enjoy. It often brings out things I didn’t want to find, things that make me uncomfortable, and things that make me squirm and flinch. But it has to be done. If my eyes are fixed on the here-and-now, I’ll be prone to ignore those deep spots and just worry about the surface areas—the spots others see. After all, getting into those deep spots is uncomfortable, for teeth and hearts, and sometimes it’s far more than just uncomfortable. Sometimes it really hurts to probe and dig into those dark, tight places. But it’s necessary if you want to get out the gunk.

We know that brushing our teeth takes care of them on a day-by-day basis, and we also know that going in to get them cleaned is important, too. Sometimes it can make the difference between healthy teeth and decay. Confession is much like daily brushing our teeth, but we also need times for a good, thorough cleaning.

Search me , O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. ~Psalm 139:23 NAS

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ~Psalm 51:2, 10 NAS

We know the verses well—so well we often buzz over them without really seeing them and without meaning them.

There are times we need to sit before God and give Him access to all the deep spots in our hearts. We need to let Him in there so He can expose and scrape out all that gunk that hides in those places. He can and will wash us and cleanse us from that decay—even in those deep spots—if we open up and let Him. It’s necessary for a healthy heart and it’s worth all the temporary discomfort.

Heavenly Father, as I sit before You now, I give You access to my heart. Even those deep spots, Lord. Please wash me and cleanse me from my sin. Remove the decay and restore to me the joy of Your salvation. In Jesus Name, amen.

Patty Wysong

Patty Wysong, a home executive with over 20 years of experience, homeschools two of her five children, but don't let that fool you. She spends much of her time working on what God has placed in her hand: her keyboard. From the corner of her living room she writes inspirational fiction, devotionals, blog posts, and teaches online blogging workshops. You'll also find her drinking kool aid from her china cup, preparing for the ladies Bible study she leads, and helping at their church. Through her writing, Patty has found the extraordinary God in her ordinary life.

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