Hands clasping the wheel, cars, people and scenery dissolved into the background. My mind replayed the recent Biblical counselling session, where awareness of a particular idol, embedded in my heart for years, had been revealed. Talking to the Lord about it and asking for forgiveness and guidance, a barrage of awareness of my many sins began flooding my mind, like highlighted words fading in and out on a black screen. Heart racing, mind abuzz and throat tightening, I choked out loud, “I can’t do all this, Lord!”

“I am not asking you to.” came the gentle reply, “I am only asking you to work on this one.”

The throbbing in my chest calmed, my breathing slowed, gratitude filled my soul and salty water in my eyes. “Okay,” I sighed, “I can do that.”

Our Good Father is not a taskmaster or slave driver. He does not ask us to do more than we are equipped for. He knows what our capabilities are because he made us. He knows we are simple bags of dust and water. Mud! Yet, He deemed it good to place His Spirit in these mud vessels, then love and grow us into His image. Slowly. One dirty rotten sin at a time.

Sometimes, I wish and pray the Lord would magically take the battles away, like a fairy Godmother, or take me home. It feels too hard! Sin is ugly, and realizing it’s in me makes my chest hurt, my mind recoil and my insides churn. My soul weeps at the sight because it has believed the lie that I am okay; I’m not that bad. After all, I haven’t_______ (insert favourite excuse).

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

Jeremiah 17:9 NIV

We sure can’t! We stumble through life wondering why we keep making the same stupid mistakes and choices, blaming everyone and everything else. When we do examine ourselves, the light in our mirrors is filtered to be flattering. After all, we’re nice, polite, law-abiding citizens – for the most part.

We’re like writers. They pour their words and hearts onto the pages and believe it is good the way it is. Then, an editor comes along, pointing out all the changes needed to make it better, crisper, and more readable. The writer feels wounded, and looking through biased lenses, finds it difficult to find one word worth removing from their beautiful creation.

“I the LORD, search the heart and examine the mind,

to reward a man according to his conduct, a

ccording to what his deeds deserve.”

Jeremiah 17:10 NIV

Our LORD is a great editor. With perfect clarity and love, He sees;

the surplus words – lies of the enemy,

the convoluted grammar – our confusion,

and the cherished lines – little golden idols,

that need to be cut out and burned. It’s painful, accompanied by lots of tears, and sometimes He has to rip them out of our clenched fists. But when He is done, the story of our life shines brighter, and purer, bringing joy and freedom to the pages.

We don’t deserve an edit. The price is more than we are willing, or able, to pay. The good news is that it’s free, a gift because the Editor is like that; loving, compassionate and good. Place your book in His capable hands and open the pages of your heart. You will never regret the process; gratitude will soar through your whole being as you see a better, more beautiful story unfold.

Sisters, I know this is scary and hard to face. We don’t like to see our ugly parts or be made uncomfortable. We want the fairy Godmother who waves her wand and magically makes us perfect princesses. But let’s not stay in the pastel, gossamer fairytale story, but step into the vibrant, solid real one God has written for your life. You won’t be sorry!

Be well!

Patricia