At night my soul longs for Thee, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks Thee diligently… Isaiah 26:9a
I heard a woman give her testimony and one of the things she said was, “I had a God sized hole in my heart that I was trying to fill with men and drugs and anything else that would dull the emptiness in my heart.”
In my post ‘Mean Faces’ I shared about my search for Jesus as a 15 year old. I knew that place in my heart needed to be filled but couldn’t seem to find the One my heart belonged to. Consequently, I stumbled around for 14 years before I met Him and then continued to stumble before He showed me that He was my Answer for anything and everything, always and forever.
Anything in our hearts and thoughts that takes the place of Christ is an idol. An idol is an image and idolatry is image worship. Worshiping anyone or anything other than God will keep you stumbling around searching, unfulfilled, and acting out in ways that make you feel hopeless and helpless.
Paul told us in 1 Corinthians 10:14, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”
Paul was addressing the Corinthian church here. Yes, we can still have idols in our hearts and thoughts after we have met Him.
Look what John says in 1 John 5:20-21. “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”
As I was thinking on this, I remembered years ago hearing another young woman saying the Lord gave her a vision. He showed her His heart, and in His heart there was a her-sized shape. He picked her up and placed her there right in His heart! I love that picture of oneness with Him!
His love is a free gift. Romans 6:23; He gives us a new heart and spirit, His! Ezekiel 11:19-20 and 36:26-27; He’s placed eternity in our hearts. Ecclesiastes 3:11; He’s who you’re looking for! 1 Timothy 1:15-17; Jesus wants you and He’s praying for you! John 17; He promised eternal life…knowing Him! 1 John 2:25; We have the Father and the Son! 1 John 2:23; We are complete in Him! Colossians 2:9-10
If you’re searching, He’s your answer. He says to choose life. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 If you know Him and are stumbling, He’s your answer. He loves you and He says to you, “I’m right here. Turn to Me and I will help you.”
Then Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
But the Lord still waits for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for Him to help them. Isaiah 31:18
He’s not mad at you and He wants you to come to Him. He longs for you to hang out with Him. He’s waiting for you.
And now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into His glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. All glory to Him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to Him, in the beginning, now, and forevermore. Amen and so be it!
Picture credit: Drawn by my daughter Gabi and painted by me. It’s Abba’s heart with me in it, and His Spirit in my heart. The little flowers are forget-me-nots, my favorite because they remind me that my Abba never forgets me.
