“Search me, God, and know my heart; put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Let’s be honest, we really do not want to be searched or tested, especially by God. We all know what that will reveal and this is what constitutes our anxious thoughts about our hurtful ways.

This scripture is a plea to God to help us eradicate the parts of ourselves that He would find less than desirable. But it requires a vulnerability that we are most often not willing to be open to. We know ourselves well enough to know that we are nothing but dirty rags. But to invite this level of scrutiny is very difficult.

But to invite this is to open ourselves. To allow to be laid bare our innermost weaknesses and hurtful ways, to be tested and come out wanting. This is the beginning of healing. This is the beginning of acceptance and change. Then to take these very raw things and lay them at the feet of Christ, ask to be forgiven and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will.