I spent some time at our local mall recently and was in one of the large stores enjoying the pretty lights, displays, clothing, jewelry. I took my time and meandered. Yes, I said meandered. I’ve come to call this retail therapy. It actually doesn’t require me purchasing anything, I just apreciate the quiet time on my own, to walk at a snail’s pace, touching (I am tactile) and just seeing what’s there. The store was gorgeous as I expected it would be. At one point I went down a hallway and into the restroom. The pretty store turned into a drab, dreary place with dingy grey walls that were marked up from years of neglect. Then the restroom? Well, someone probably should tell them it’s time for a redo. Again, drabby and dreary. Tiles were in need of repair or replacement, the paint was dreary, you could see drill holes where there once had been ‘something’ of use… Then it occurred to me… this is very much like many of our hearts.
We can do everything in our own power to make the outside look good. We can cut/style/perm/color our hair, put on make up, buy the right clothes and shoes… and when we look in the mirror we look put together. HOWEVER- when we go a little deeper than our outward appearance, is it like walking down the drab and dreary gray halls of the store? You know what I’m talking about. We each have that little something we’ve kept tucked away so long that it’s become drab and dreary. I’m reminded of David- a man after God’s own heart:
‘O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thougths from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.’ Psalm 139:1-4
David would tell you that he struggled with drab, dreary grey heart issues. He would also tell you of God’s redemption through love and grace. Can you dare to ask God to search your heart today? Then can you go one more step further and ask God to take your drab dreary recessed area of your heart and apply his love and grace and forgiveness? Perhaps this can be your challenge today.
