Craig Clouston

Soiled Parts

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
1 John 3:19, 20

The walls were soiled and stained; the wallpaper was curling at the edges and hanging loose in places. The furniture was run-down, sagging cushions and gouges in the wood. The curtains were torn but still not much light penetrated them, and the dust took on the appearance of silt. It was dirty and repulsive here. That was all right; the more silt covered, the better.
She came here so seldom she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been here. Pausing, she looked amidst the rubble. It was then she noticed Him standing there, just inside the door. She’d almost forgotten; she’d invited Him. He was waiting for her to acknowledge His presence, but what was there to say? It was all here for Him to see, those things in her life she was ashamed of and not sure how to deal with. Time seemed to drag on forever, but He never moved. She knew He was waiting for her to speak. “I can’t seem to get rid of these things,” she said. “I try and try.” He spoke softly, “Will you let me help?” She awakened with a start. What a dream! Jesus had just seen the darkest part of her heart and still loved her!

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Omniscience doesn’t mean knowing some things; it means knowing everything. God’s desire is that we come into a relationship with Him where meaningful conversations about the issues of our heart bring healing.
His hope is that our hearts will bend in such a way that we give Him those silt-covered parts for cleansing. He wants us to know the truth: belonging to Him removes condemnation from the heart.

Prayer

“Lord, there are things that I wish You didn’t know about me, but You do. That You could still love me is hard to grasp, so sometimes I act like You don’t. Help me be open and honest with myself so we can talk about the soiled parts of my heart. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”