Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
- Psalm 139:23-24
Last Sunday we heard from Pastor Daniel Hoh about self-awareness and how it is a crucial and necessary step on the path to experiencing wellness in God. He said something that truly caught my attention:
“Powerful mindfulness must be centered in powerful grace.”
And oh, how true it is. Why? Because when we quiet ourselves, turn off the tv, put down the smartphone, sit in silence and be alone with our thoughts, we come face to face with the depths of our hearts. And in those depths we most often find…
Pain.
Dissatisfaction.
Shame
Guilt
Desire…
So many things that we would normally be ashamed to bring out to the surface. Because the world tells us that we need to earn every position, every accolade, every success. That we can only be loved if we are “good enough.” Smart enough. Beautiful or handsome enough. Rich enough…sound familiar?
Thank God for the gospel. Gospel, which means “good news.” What’s that good news? Pastor Daniel explained it beautifully:
“In Christ, regardless of what’s happening [in your heart], you are invited and wanted by God to be His beloved child.”
It doesn’t matter how good or bad we are. We don’t have to earn His love. We don’t have to work for His attention or care. He bought our freedom from judgment at high cost on the cross, and now offers it to us freely.
I hope that as you practice mindfulness: being present in the moment, with yourself, with God, that you will ask Him to search and examine your heart. That He will bring to the light any shame, pain, or offensive way and heal it as He leads you in the way everlasting.
